D2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL: North Georgia routs No. 1-ranked UMO

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on May 21, 2017 1:45 AM

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jhayes@newsargus.com

MOUNT OLIVE -- Connor Hoover and Andres Perez each homered during a seven-run first inning, a duo of hurlers scattered 10 hits and North Georgia remained unbeaten after defeating University of Mount Olive, 13-6, on day three of the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional at Scarborough Field.

UMO, the event's No. 1 seed, faces the winner of the Catawba-Lincoln Memorial tilt in a win-or-go-home matchup today at 3:30 p.m.

Matters unfolded rapidly for Trojan starter Austin Hutchison, who lasted just two-thirds of an inning versus an aggressive, free-swinging Nighthawk outfit. After giving up a single to lead-off man Devin Gearhart, Hoover launched a never-in-doubt blast over the wall in right field for a quick 2-0 advantage.

North Georgia, however, was just getting started.

With two runners on and none out, Nighthawk right-fielder Conner Corbitt pierced a line drive to left-center field that bounced off the glove of UMO's Justin Carroll, resulting in a 4-0 lead and prompting groans from the Trojan faithful.

Moments later, Perez officially stamped the surge complete with a balloon-inspired, three-run pronouncement over the wall in left field, making the score 7-0 and signaling the end for Hutchison.

UMO responded in its half with a pair of home runs from Zack Mozingo and Drew Ellis, but never seriously challenged the red-hot Nighthawks, who tallied 12 base hits through five frames and 18 for the contest.

"Hutch is a tough kid, and we rolled the dice," UMO skipper Carl Lancaster said of his starter, who recently returned from a strained oblique muscle. "We've just got to scratch and claw now to see if we can get back in this thing -- we'll be fine."

Play was halted for roughly half an hour in the sixth inning, when lightning in the area forced a suspension of play. The interruption did little to alter North Georgia's tide, however, as the Nighthawks continued their march to victory with solid pitching and timely base knocks.

Starter Blake Gaubert lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with a strikeout. He was supplanted on the cliff by junior Logan Burt, who riddled the Trojans through the finish with command and curvature to all portions of the strike zone.

En route to picking up the victory, Burt scattered three hits, allowed one run and struck out four UMO batsmen.

North Georgia was led offensively by Perez, who finished the night 3-for-4 with a quartet of RBI. Gearhart's 4-for-5 outing included a pair of RBI. Corbitt, Hoover and left-fielder Kal Dempsey notched two RBI apiece.

Courtesy of its umblemished record thus far, North Georgia will not resume play until Monday at noon -- when it must be defeated twice for anyone else to claim a spot in the upcoming College World Series in Grand Prairie, Texas.