After falling behind early, Georgia’s offense came alive in the middle innings to secure a 10-4 comeback win over UIC on Saturday at Foley Field and improve to a 7-1 record.
The Bulldogs erased a four-run deficit with an offensive surge led by Robbie Burnett, who hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the fifth inning.
“We know we’re a good offense,” Burnett said. “One through nine, one through 15 — our guys can hit.”
Georgia tacked on insurance runs in the later innings, highlighted by Ryland Zaborowski’s towering three-run homer in the seventh, the longest of the season at 416 feet.
Georgia scored 10 runs on 11 hits, with every player in the starting lineup recording a hit.
UIC (1-5) jumped ahead in the third with a four-run inning, capitalizing on a two-run double by Luke Nowak and a two-run homer from Bessette.
Georgia responded in the bottom half with a two-run single by Daniel Jackson.
“We try never to panic,” head coach Wes Johnson said. “They gave us a good punch early, but I liked our swings. We just had to stay in our approach and keep believing.”
Tre Phelps and Slate Alford started the fifth with back-to-back singles before Burnett launched his second career home run to put Georgia in front, 5-4.
An inning later, Henry Hunter doubled and later scored on a throwing error to extend the lead.
In the seventh, Burnett reached on a hit-by-pitch, setting the stage for Zaborowski’s three-run blast, cementing Georgia’s victory.
On the mound, Brian Zeldin started but only pitched 2 1/3 innings after allowing four earned runs.
Davis II (2-0) earned the win in relief, throwing three scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Matthew Hoskins closed the game with 3 2/3 shutout frames, earning his first save.
“I felt pretty good, you know, for the last couple of months, but as a whole, that was one of the better outings I’ve had,” Hoskins said.
Hunter, Georgia’s starting catcher, had two pickoffs, limiting UIC’s offensive potential.
The Bulldogs return to action at 11 a.m. ET Sunday with their last game of the series against UIC, which they currently lead 3-0.
