Georgia’s 17-game win streak ended Saturday with a 10-7 loss to Kentucky, tying the series at 1-1.
The Bulldogs and Wildcats exchanged runs early, each scoring one, but after the first inning, Kentucky pulled ahead. By the end of the third, Georgia trailed 7-2.
Georgia was in a similar position Friday, down 6-2 in the third inning before rallying for a 12-6 win. However, the Bulldogs couldn’t match Kentucky’s offensive execution this time.
Coach Wes Johnson said the biggest difference between the two games was Kentucky capitalizing on more pitches.
The Wildcats finished with three more hits than Georgia, and both teams scored in five of the nine innings, but Kentucky’s ability to string together key hits proved decisive.
Matthew Hoskins got the start but was pulled in the second inning after loading the bases with no outs. He took the loss, finishing with three runs allowed, three hits allowed and two strikeouts. Georgia used five pitchers in total, but Kentucky maintained its lead throughout.
Georgia’s offense fought to keep the game within reach.
In the fifth inning, Ryland Zaborowski launched a solo home run, followed by Slate Alford’s second homer of the game to trim the deficit to 9-4.
The Bulldogs added one run in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI single from pinch hitter Chris Adams and two more runs in the eighth innings with Henry Hunter hitting a two-run shot.
Kentucky added an insurance run in the top of the eighth with a solo home run from Patrick Herrera and held off Georgia’s late push to secure the win.
Despite the loss, Georgia’s offense remained productive, finishing with 10 hits, including four home runs.
Alford led the way, finishing 2 for 5 with two home runs and two RBIs.
Fresh off an SEC Player of the Week honor, Zaborowski went 2 for 3 with a solo homer and two RBIs.
“I mean, I’m still very happy with how we swung it today,” Zaborowski said. “We had a lot of hard outs. And I think if we just keep that positive mindset, we’ll do our thing tomorrow.”
Georgia (20-2, 1-1 SEC) looks to win the series against Kentucky (14-3, 1-1 SEC) on Sunday with first pitch at 1:00 p.m. ET. Johnson said the message for tomorrow’s game is “win.”
