Dahlonega, GA – The Brevard College men’s baseball team stepped out of South Atlantic Conference play on Tuesday night, as the Tornados played under the lights, falling to North Georgia 9-7 in Dahlonega, Georgia.

 

The Tornados jumped out to an early 3-0, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. BC’s first run of the game came by way of a Josh Miller sacrifice fly to right field which scored Adam Arrowood from third. Short-stop Mitch Hefner then singled to center field to plate Luke Lovelace, which was followed by a double to left center by junior Spencer Linn to put BC up 3-0.

 

However, North Georgia answered back with a three-spot of their own in their half of the first inning as third-baseman Andre Airich drove in two runs on a double down the left field line, which was followed by Chad Sage RBI single to knot the score up at 3-3 after only one inning of play.

 

The Tornados bats continued in the second inning, as BC scored two runs on one hit and two Saints’ errors to get back on top 5-3 of the Saints.

 

BC added to their lead in the top of the fourth, as designated hitter M.A. Dozier scored from third base on a wild pitch, having reached base on a North Georgia error to lead off the inning.

 

North Georgia got a run back in the bottom half of the fourth, as Daniel Pettiti scored on a Ross Book double to left field to cut the BC lead to two at 6-4.

 

The Tornados pushed the lead back to three in the top of the seventh, as Linn had a sacrifice fly to scored Lovelace from third and put the score at 7-4.

 

Yet in the bottom of the eighth inning, North Georgia scored five runs highlighted by a Rob Flanigan grand slam over the left field wall to give the home team their first lead of the game at 9-7.

 

The Saints would hold on in the final inning of play to come away with the come from behind 9-7 win.

 

The win went to North Georgia’s Garrett Lussi (3-2), as the reliever went 3.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits.

 

The loss went to BC reliever Luke Smithson (0-3), as the right-hander gave up two runs, both of which were unearned, on one hit and two walks in 0.1 innings of relief work.

 

Tornados starter Seth Laughter picked up the no-decision despite allowing seven runs, four earned, on 11 hits while striking out eight hitters in 7.1 innings of work.

 

Offensively, the Tornados were led by Lovelace, who was 2-5 with a double and two runs scored, while junior Spencer Linn was 1-2 with a double and two RBIs. Outfielder Brice Warner was 2-5 with a run scored, while fellow outfielder Adam Arrowood was 1-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

 

The Tornados (10-31) will return to the road on Thursday, April 17, as BC will travel to Bristol, Virginia to square off with the Cobras of Virginia Intermont. The double-header is slated for a 1 p.m. start time.

 

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