Sean Stevenson
Associate Sports Communications Director (Volleyball, Softball)
University of Georgia Athletic Association
The third-ranked Georgia softball team defeated No. 20 Arkansas 8-2 on Sunday to even the weekend series at Jack Turner Stadium.
The Bulldogs climb to 29-5 on the season and 6-2 in SEC play.
Jayda Kearney tied a career-best four hits in Sunday’s matchup, while Jaydyn Goodwin added three hits and four RBI. Sara Mosley and Ellie Armistead each added a hit and an RBI.
Madison Kerpics (9-1) pitched four innings in her start, allowing two runs on three hits and fanned two batters. Shelby Walters recorded a three-inning save, her second save of the season. She pitched three scoreless, hitless innings and allowed just one baserunner.
With runners on the corners and two out in the bottom of the first, Goodwin singled off the pitcher, and the ball went into right, allowing Mosley to score and putting Georgia ahead 1-0.
An RBI fielder’s choice and an RBI single to left plated two Arkansas (25-9, 4-4) runs in the top of the second to flip the lead in the Razorbacks’ favor, 2-1.
Georgia got both runs back in the bottom of the inning. With two out and two on, Mosley singled to right, plating Marisa Miller and tying it up. Kearney followed with an RBI hit through the right side to score Lyndi Rae Davis and give Georgia back the lead, 3-2.
Back-to-back RBI doubles off the bats of Goodwin and Armistead plated two more runs for Georgia in the fourth, widening the lead to 5-2.
Goodwin’s hot hitting continued in the sixth with a two-RBI double, then a sac fly off the bat of Miller completed a three-run inning, 8-2.
Walters retired the Razorbacks in order in the seventh to secure the Georgia victory.
The series rubber match is set for Monday evening at Jack Turner Stadium. First pitch will be at 7 p.m. on SEC Network. Head coach Tony Baldwin will be mic’d up as part of Mic’d Up Mondays.
Head Coach Tony Baldwin
On Sunday’s win over Arkansas…
“I’m proud of the way that we just played Georgia softball. I thought we were really present. I thought we were competitive. One of the things that we talk about is ‘make after misses.’ You’re going to shoot your shot. Sometimes it’s going to go in, sometimes it’s not, but you’ve got to go back with the next shot believing that it’s going to in. I thought we came back with that attitude today that things were going to go our way, and then we did the things that it takes to make it happen. Really proud. I thought Madi [Kerpics] really buckled down there and answered back. I thought Shelby [Walters] was really sharp. I thought Marissa [Miller] did a great job behind the plate handling the pitchers, and then lots of good at-bats up and down the lineup.”
On the defensive play…
“Oh man, you can’t beat it. We go through two days playing defense like that – it’s really been the difference in our season in terms of our ability to minimize damage. We’re not going to be perfect, but if we can just keep it from snowballing on us, then our offense is good enough to give us an opportunity to win the game. That’s all we can ever try to do. When you’re playing competition, it just gives yourself an opportunity to win the game. Ellie [Armistead] was outstanding. [Sydney Kuma] was outstanding. Jayda [Kearney] has made some big plays two days in a row. Just proud of the team effort.”
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