DAHLONEGA, Ga. — No. 21 Middle Georgia State University baseball team lost to No. 29 North Georgia 10-6 Friday, dropping its record to 3-2. The Nighthawks improved to 4-1 with the victory.
The Choctaws had nine hits for the second straight game and mounted a late rally but fell short. Ty Murphy led the team with three hits, including a season-high double, and drove in two runs for the first time this season. Alex Johnson hit his second home run of the year and added two RBIs, also a season high.
Johnson’s two-run homer in the first inning gave MC an early 2-0 lead. Tyler Sanderson reached on an error, and Johnson’s shot to left field scored him. The Choctaws extended their lead to 3-0 in the inning when Jake LaRocca walked and scored on a Gadman single, with LaRocca crossing home on a Murphy groundout after a bases-loaded error.
The Nighthawks responded with a solo home run by Kyle Robitzsch in the bottom of the first, trimming the deficit to 3-1. North Georgia added another run in the fourth. In the sixth, they scored seven runs, including a two-RBI single by Schley Gordy and unearned runs, to take a 9-3 lead through six innings.
MC rallied in the eighth inning. Bryce Speakman doubled and scored on a Gadman groundout. Carter Wells and Murphy followed with RBI singles and doubles, reducing the deficit to 10-6. The Choctaws failed to score in the ninth, ending the game.
Caleb Peterson started for MC, lasting 5.1 innings and allowing five runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Blake Gollott pitched two-thirds of an inning, giving up four runs on three hits. Matthew Heard earned the win for North Georgia, allowing three runs over seven innings. Avery Brown finished the game, allowing three runs in two innings.
Brady Skipper had a standout performance for North Georgia, with three hits, three runs scored, and four stolen bases. Robitzsch added three hits, including a home run and double, with three RBIs. Gordy contributed with two hits and two RBIs, especially with runners in scoring position.
The teams will continue their weekend series Saturday, Feb. 7, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
