DAHLONEGA – The No. 16 University of North Georgia (UNG) baseball team dropped a midweek non-conference game to Emmanuel in an 11-6 loss at Bob Stein Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park on Tuesday. 

The Nighthawks (30-12, 18-3 Peach Belt) were significantly shorthanded by injuries both on the mound and at the plate in their matchup with the Lions (21-22, 10-14 Conference Carolinas).

Emmanuel jumped out to an early lead by scoring a pair of runs in the second inning. 

UNG struggled to keep the base paths empty in the game. The Nighthawk pitchers only walked five batters in the game, but all five of those free passes came in the first four innings and helped the Lions build an 8-1 advantage by the fourth inning.

UNG had its first multi-run inning in the bottom of the fourth however as a two-run double from junior center fielder Andrews Opata and an Emmanuel balk plated three Nighthawk runs to make it 8-4.

The team moved one step closer to a comeback when sophomore left fielder Kyle Robitzsch lifted his second home run of the season over the left field wall to make it 8-5.

UNG stayed within arms reach at a three-run deficit for the next three innings until a critical three-run homer in the eighth inning from Emmanuel's Hayden Beall secured the victory.

The Nighthawks would get one more run in the home half of the frame on another base knock from Opata. The center field had a very strong day individually going 2-for-4 with three RBIs and a walk. 

UNG now prepares for its final home series of the regular season when it takes on USC Aiken for a three-game set that begins on Thursday, April 17 at 6 p.m. Before the series finale on Saturday, April 18, the Nighthawks will honor the 2025 class during their Senior Day festivities prior to first pitch.