Kolby Branch ended Georgia’s nine-run fifth inning on Tuesday afternoon the same way he started it – with a bomb to left field.
The only difference?
Branch’s first go-around brought in two runs, while his second one was a grand slam. His seventh career grand slam, that is. Branch joined Charlie Condon and Clayton Chadwick in the Bulldog record books for hitting two home runs in the same inning.
The Bulldog bats saw just the recharge they needed in its midweek run-rule victory over Presbyterian College, 16-2.
“It’s good to be back in the home run column,” Branch said. “And it’s always fun to hit two homers in a midweek and I’m glad we got some things going tonight.”
Georgia’s powerhouse of an offense remained quiet in last weekend’s series against No. 5 Texas, where the Bulldogs were swept for the first time since last March. Georgia, who was averaging 10.5 runs per game, was held to just eight runs throughout the weekend while batting 15 for 96.
The Bulldogs tallied more hits in seven innings on Tuesday than they did in total in Austin last weekend, with 16. Although they are back on their home turf and playing a different team, the aggressive bats reset the tone for the Bulldog offense.
“I feel like it sends a message: this offense isn’t quiet yet, and we’re going to keep rolling,” said Ryan Black, who went 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a home run.
Black’s lead-off home run in the first inning gave the Bulldogs immediate momentum, and from there, the hits just kept rolling.
“It just brings energy,” Black said. “Doing it the first [at bat] of the game, it brings energy to the dugout.”
Georgia finished with five home runs, bringing its nation-best total to 92. Devin Obee and Ryland Zaborowki, who ranks as one of the top home run hitters in the nation, were among the other two Bulldogs that knocked the ball out of Foley Field.
Head coach Wes Johnson wasn’t pleased with Georgia’s ability to execute on two-strike counts last weekend, but Tuesday’s outing proved that the Bulldogs have already gone to work.
“I thought we did a really good job of getting back to our approach, getting back to not chasing, slowing the game down,” Johnson said.
Georgia also had a successful day on the mound. Eight different pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and just one walk, which came when Collin Caldwell entered with two outs in the final inning.
The Bulldogs needed an offensive surge to build their momentum and confidence back up for what will be another challenging weekend as No. 1 Arkansas makes its way to Athens.
“It’s a lot of fun playing at Foley [Field] and we’ve got a lot of confidence when we’re playing at home,” Branch said. “It’s a good feeling to be back.”
