After allowing nine runs in last night’s opener against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, sixth-ranked Georgia’s rotation was ready to make its statement. Georgia allowed just two hits in a 10-0 blowout victory called in the seventh on Saturday.
In recent games, the Bulldogs have been sluggish out of the gate, but today they showed fire from the start. When asked what the team needed going into today’s matchup, standout hitter Daniel Jackson prescribed just what the Bulldogs got.
“We need really good energy,” Jackson said. “I feel like a couple times we’ve come out just a little bit flat. If we can get everybody together, good energy in the dugout, picking up our guys, we’ll get off to a good start.”
The battle on the mound was exciting right from the start, as the Bulldogs saw Charlie Goldstein toe the rubber for the first time this season. The strong pitcher from last year had been sidelined due to an offseason injury, but his first showing back was impressive. Despite only pitching two innings, Goldstein struck out three batters and didn’t allow a single hit. The Bulldogs are still managing his workload as he continues to recover, but the early signs were positive, as Goldstein got plenty of swing and miss.
Next up was Zach Brown, who came in relief. He pitched three innings, and he only allowed two base runners despite striking out just one batter. The end to the no-hit bid came in the top of the fifth with a lead-off double dropped into right. Brown stranded the runner and the Bulldogs held on to the shutout. He picked up the win, giving him a 2-1 record on the season.
Lucas Morici finished the day for the Dawgs, striking out two batters and allowing one walk and one hit. While the pitching saw plenty of contact, the defense showed up strong, making impressive picks all over the infield. The second hit of the game was a dribbler in the infield that just escaped Morici’s glove.
The offense, to their credit, did their part. Georgia scored in all but one inning. Daniel Jackson continued to rake at the plate with a single and a homer. He is now 6-8 in the series. Transfer out of Kentucky, Nolan McCarthy got his first homer with the Bulldogs. Robbie Burnett and Slate Alford also deposited balls behind Foley Field.
In the bottom of the seventh, Slate Alford hit his second walk-off in as many games, this one a sac fly into deep right that saw the Dawg’s 10th run cross the plate. The game was called, and Georgia notched their 11th win.
The pitching is beginning to get healthier and stronger as the Bulldogs prep for conference play. Georgia will continue their series against the Eagles at 5 pm Saturday.
