Dahlonega, GA – The Emmanuel Baseball team proved that they are up for a challenge in last night's regional game against #15 University of North Georgia. The Lions outhit the Nighthawk, 15-9, getting off to a strong start to the game. But, the Nighthawk battled back to take the win by one run, 9-8. With the loss, the Lions fall to 24-15 on the season. 
 
The Lions got off to a fast start in the first inning. Jesus Cruz singled to start the game. Thomas Collins followed that up with a double to right to advance Cruz to third. Brock Wollin grounded out to 1^st base to score Cruz and give the Lions a 1-0 lead. Brody Campbell grounded out to 2^nd to score Campbell and make it 2-0 early. 
 
The Lions kept their bats going in the top of the 2^nd. Bailey Stroud started things off with a single to third, advancing the 2^nd on a passed ball. Cruz followed that up with his second hit of the night, a single through the right side to score Stroud and give the Lions a 3-0 lead. The hits kept coming for the Lions, with Collins then singling to left to advance Cruz to 3^rd. Wollin loaded the bases after getting hit by a pitch, and Campbell took advantage by singling to right to score Cruz and Collins, giving the Lions a 5-0 advantage. 
 
North Georgia got a run back in the bottom of the 2^nd, scoring a run on one hit to make it 5-1, Lions. 
 
After a few scoreless innings, the Nighthawk took the lead in the bottom of the 4^th scoring five runs on three hits and an error to make the score 6-5, UNG. 
 
North Georgia added a run to their lead in the bottom of the 5^th, bringing their lead to 7-5. 
 
In the top of the 6^th, the Lions got back on the board. Collins reached on an error, then Wollin hit into a double play, with Collins getting thrown out at 2^nd. Campbell walked to keep the inning going, advancing to 2^nd on a wild pitch. Hayden Beall brought him home with a single to make it 7-6. UNG. The Nighthawk scored a run on two hits to take a 8-6 lead in the bottom half of the inning. 
 
In the bottom of the 7^th, UNG added a run to their lead on two hits to make it 9-6. 
 
In the top of the 8^th, the Lions roared back. Campbell walked and Beall hit a 2-run homer to right center to bring the score to 9-8 which would be the final. 
 
At the plate, Hayden Beall was 3-5 with 3RBI's and Ryan Muniz was 3-5. 
 
On the mound, Colby Fields got the nod, going 3.0 innings. He gave up three runs (2 earned) on three hits and struck out two batters, walking two others. Chase Lupton relieved him and earned the L, pitching one inning and giving up 4 runs on 2 hits. He walked three batters and struck out two. Dosie Drakeford came in next, pitching 2 innings and giving up 1 run on 2 hits. He struck out a batter and walked another. Noah Cantleberry pitched an inning, giving up one run on two hits. Simon Boggie closed out the game for the Lions, facing one batter before a rain delay ended the game in the 8^th. 
 
Next up, the Lions will host Erskine in conference play tomorrow at 4PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.