University of Georgia
35-17, 16-12
Arkansas
37-15, 18-10
Late Rally Propels No. 6 Arkansas Past No. 13 Georgia
May 17, 2018 | Baseball
ATHENS, Ga. --- In a pivotal final series with SEC Tournament seeding implications in the balance, sixth-ranked Arkansas captured game one from 13th-ranked Georgia 8-6 Thursday at Foley Field.
Both offenses wasted no time getting on the scoreboard capitalizing on defensive miscues in the first inning. The Razorbacks (37-15, 18-10 SEC) plated two unearned runs in the top of the first inning but the Bulldogs answered with an unearned run of their own with two outs after a Michael Curry double scored Keegan McGovern from first who reached on an error.
The Bulldogs (35-17, 16-12 SEC) evened the score in the second inning when shortstop Cam Shepherd launched a towering homerun just inside the left field foul pole tying the game at 2-2.
Georgia starter Chase Adkins settled into a groove after the first inning going five innings without surrendering an earned run, striking out four men but got a no decision. First baseman Adam Sasser gave the Bulldogs the lead in the fourth inning atoning for a first inning error with a laser solo homerun to right field giving the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead. Later in the inning, freshman centerfielder C.J. Smith singled home second baseman LJ Talley giving Georgia a two-run cushion.
The explosive Razorback offense found their footing in the seventh inning against the Bulldog bullpen striking for six runs. Designated hitter Luke Bonfield's opposite field two-run homerun proved to be the big blow of the inning as the Razorbacks opened an 8-4 advantage.
Refusing to go quietly, the Bulldogs loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh bringing the tying run to the plate but were only able to muster a single run on a Cam Shepherd RBI groundout. Again in the eighth the Bulldogs added a run on an Aaron Schunk RBI-single scoring C.J. Smith, trimming the deficit to two runs heading to the final frame.
Razorback closer Matt Cronin recorded the final eight outs on the mound for the visitors picking up his 10th save of the season, preserving an 8-6 Arkansas win. Blaine Knight improved to 9-0, going six innings and allowing four runs on six hits with five strikeouts. Tony Locey dropped to 6-2.
Dawg Tracks
-Starting pitcher Chase Adkins (5-0) turned in five strong innings, striking out four men without allowing an earned run.
-Aaron Schunk (2-for-5) extended his hit streak to a team high 20 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the SEC.
-Michael Curry (2-for-4) recorded his team leading 21st multi-hit game.
-LHP Adam Goodman recorded two perfect innings of relief striking out two men.
Coach's Corner
Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin
On dropping the opening game of the series:
"Well certainly giving up a six spot really cramps what you're trying to do. We had a 4-2 lead feeling good about ourselves but you know what Adam Goodman came in and gave us two zeros and we were able to creep back in there and got the tying run to the plate. We fought back and that was encouraging. After the six-run inning, we didn't fold, we didn't go home, it's disappointing we didn't play our best game today. A lot of that has to do with Arkansas, Arkansas is a great club and you have to play one of your best games to beat a team like that and we didn't do that."
Player's Perspective
Sophomore first baseman Adam Sasser
On atoning for his first inning miscue with a go-ahead homerun…
"That was pretty big, I was trying not to beat myself up too much after the first inning. I really got some confidence back. We need to play better baseball and get a win in this series to get the four seed and get the bye, that would be huge for us."
Next Up
The Bulldogs (35-17, 16-12) will continue their series with the Razorbacks Friday afternoon with first pitch now scheduled for 3pm (SECN+).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Blaine Knight (9-0)
L: Locey, Tony (6-2)
S: Matt Cronin (10)
Batting:
3B: Dominic Fletcher 1
HR: Luke Bonfield 1
RBI: Eric Cole 1 ; Heston Kjerstad 1 ; Luke Bonfield 2 ; Carson Shaddy 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Casey Martin 2 ; Heston Kjerstad 1 ; Luke Bonfield 2 ; Dominic Fletcher 1 ; Carson Shaddy 1 ; Jack Kenley 1
SB: Jack Kenley 1
HBP: Luke Bonfield 1
Batting:
2B: Curry, Michael 1
HR: Sasser, Adam 1 ; Shepherd, Cam 1
RBI: Schunk, Aaron 1 ; Curry, Michael 1 ; Sasser, Adam 1 ; Shepherd, Cam 2 ; Smith, C.J. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Schunk, Aaron 1 ; McGovern, Keegan 1 ; Sasser, Adam 1 ; Shepherd, Cam 1 ; Talley, LJ 1 ; Smith, C.J. 1
CS: McGovern, Keegan 1
HBP: Meadows, Mason 1 ; Smith, C.J. 1
