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Sean Stevenson
Associate Sports Communications Director (Volleyball, Softball)
University of Georgia Athletic Association
No. 7/6 Georgia defeated Jacksonville State, 8-6, and Furman, 7-0, to close play of the Bulldog Classic at Jack Turner Stadium.
Georgia notches its 20th win, improving to 20-3 on the season.
No. 7/6 Georgia 8, Jacksonville State 6
Ellie Armistead was a bight spot for the offense in game one, going 3-for-3 including a home run with two RBI and two runs scored. Sara Mosley and Jaydyn Goodwin each provided three-RBI hits in the game.
Shelby Walters (5-1) pitched four innings in her victory, allowing three runs on five hits. Destin Howard worked one and two-third innings, and Riley Orcutt pitched one-third out of the pen. Madison Kerpics earned her first save, pitching the seventh inning.
JSU (9-15) pushed across a run on a two-out infield single in the opening frame to go up 1-0.
Georgia loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the second. Mosley doubled to left center to clear the bases and put Georgia in front 3-1.
The Gamecocks responded with two runs in the top of the third to tie the game at 3-all.
Goodwin launched a three-run home run off the top of the videoboard in right field in the bottom of the third to put Georgia back in front 6-3.
Armistead extended the Dogs’ lead in the fifth with a two-run home run to dead center field.
Jacksonville State took advantage of a Georgia miscue in the top of the sixth to plate three unearned runs, cutting Georgia’s lead to 8-6.
Kerpics entered in the seventh and slammed on the door on the Gamecocks to pick up the save.
No. 7/6 Georgia 7, Furman 0
Madison Kercpis (7-1) and Rachel Gibson combined to shut out the Furman Paladins (10-13) in the second game of the twin bill, allowing just two hits. Kerpics struck out four while Gibson fanned a career-best six hitters. Gibson picked up a three-inning save, the first save of her career.
Lyndi Rae Davis and Jayda Kearney each had two hits and left the yard. Georgia used 16 position players and offensive players in the game.
Davis led off the bottom of the first with her sixth home run. Following a four-pitch walk to Mosley, Kearney launched her 10th home run over the wall in right to go up 3-0.
Singles to left by Davis and Kearney, and an RBI fielder’s choice off the bat of Sydney Kuma plated three more runs for the Bulldogs in the second, widening the lead to 6-0.
Georgia added a run on an RBI groundout by Goodwin in the third, 7-0.
Gibson entered the pitch in the top of the fifth and held the Paladins hitless and scoreless en route to the three-inning save and the Bulldog win.
Georgia hosts Georgia Tech in a rivalry midweek matchup at Jack Turner Stadium on Wednesday. First pitch between the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets is set for 6 p.m. It’ll be a Red Out on Wednesday. The first 250 fans will receive a red shirt.
Head Coach Tony Baldwin
On today's performances...
"I thought we competed. I thought we put together a lot of good at-bats. I'm really proud of Destin [Howard]. I thought she threw the ball really well in that first game. Was just getting some soft, kind of weird contacts. It didn't end up working out outcome-wise, as well as she threw the ball, but I'm really proud of her. Riley [Orcutt] came in and threw the ball well, and Rachel [Gibson] here on the back end. Madi [Kerpics] gave a real good start here in the second game. All in all, it was a really good day. It was really fun to have the sun out and play in the sun a little bit - just playing good softball. We got through the tournament season. We're 20-3 and feel pretty good about where we are at, and we're looking forward to just tackling one game a day for little while."
On the upcoming games this week...
"Obviously, it's a big week. Anytime you have Georgia Tech, it's a big week. Last time they were here, they got to celebrate more than we did. We'll be ready to compete. They have a good team, and they're on a winning streak, so I know they'll be coming in ready to play. We look forward to the competition. And obviously, a big weekend with Alabama coming to town and starting conference play this weekend. It's a big week. We will need all of Bulldog Nation out here to help us get after it."