The teams exchanged zeroes through the first two innings before UNG broke through in the third, plating three runs. Riley Frost opened the scoring with an RBI double, and Edwin Bowman followed with a clutch two-run single to give the Nighthawks a 3-0 advantage.

USCB responded in the fourth, taking advantage of a Nighthawks error to bring home their first run. Carson Weathers delivered an RBI single, and Noah Campbell laced a two-run double to push the Sand Sharks ahead 4-3.

Joe Turner took the mound for USCB and held North Georgia at bay for the next two innings, but the Nighthawks erupted for five runs in the seventh off USCB's bullpen. A flurry of base hits, including two singles and a double, put North Georgia back on top, 8-4.

The Sand Sharks showed resilience in the eighth, loading the bases to set up a crucial at-bat for Luke Doty. The outfielder came through in the clutch, sending an 0-1 fastball up the middle to drive in two runs. Campbell continued his stellar night at the plate, singling home two more to tie the game at 8-8.

Jon Davis nearly played hero for USCB in the bottom of the ninth, launching a deep drive to the warning track, but the Nighthawks defense held firm, sending the game into extra innings.

In the 11th, North Georgia threatened with the bases loaded, but USCB's Ian Barnes escaped unscathed, inducing a groundout to end the inning. The Nighthawks would not be denied in the 12th, however, manufacturing three runs on a wild pitch, a sacrifice fly, and an RBI double to secure the win.

Despite the loss, the Sand Sharks had standout performances at the plate, highlighted by Campbell's four RBIs and Doty's timely two-run single. Weathers also contributed with an RBI knock. Turner gave USCB valuable innings on the mound, keeping the game within reach before the late Nighthawks rally.

The series will wrap up tomorrow with a day night doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. in Hardeeville.