DAHLONEGA, GA - The Emmanuel baseball team defeated the 18th ranked team in the country on Wednesday, the University of North Georgia Nighthawks. The underdog victory moves Emmanuel's record to 7-8 on the season. 

Judd Roberts started off the scoring in the top of the second inning when he homered to right field on the first swing of his at bat. Zachary Bergstrom added another homer for the Lions in the top of the fourth, knocking it out of the park on a 0-2 count to give Emmanuel a 2-0 lead. Khalib Bayona added a run later in the same inning thanks to an RBI by Dobbs Bowden. 

The Nighthawks responded in the bottom of the fourth, putting up three runs of their own to tie the score, 3-3. 

Khalib Bayona sent Zachary Bergstrom home with a double in the top of the fifth, putting the Lions back on top. However, UNG once again responded in the bottom of the inning, tying the game 4-4. 

The final score of the night came when Judd Roberts singled to right field, driving a pair of Lions home to give Emmanuel a 6-4 advantage they would never relinquish. 

Ryan Smith was the first of six pitchers that took the mound for Emmanuel over the course of the evening. He went three innings, allowing 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 1. Trey Campbell, Hunter Ferguson, and Hunter Parks all entered in relief. Parks allowed 0 runs and 0 hits in two innings before Tyler Mayfield came out of the bullpen for the bottom of the eighth. Mayfield pitched a perfect inning, recording three consecutive strikeouts. Clifford Brown took over the mound in the ninth, throwing a perfect inning of his own to close out the game with three straight strike outs. 

The Lions finished the game with 11 hits and 1 error while holding the Nighthawks to 6 hits (they also had 1 error). 

Next up, baseball will resume conference play as they host Mount Olive for a three game series beginning this Friday, February 25 at 4:00pm. 

For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.