FSU Edges Georgia 7-5

Friday, February 20

Athens, Ga.

5:00 PM

University of Georgia

Florida State

Zack Bowers hit his second home run of the season Friday.

February 20, 2015 | Baseball

Highlights from the opening game of Georgia baseball's series against Florida State including an interview with head coach Scott Stricklin.

Feb. 20, 2015

Final Stats | Photo Gallery

ATHENS - A ninth inning rally came up short as Georgia fell 7-5 to the 11th-ranked Florida State Seminoles Friday at Foley Field.

Despite outhitting the Seminoles 11-6, the Bulldogs could not get enough key hits, leaving 13 runners on base and the game ended on a pickoff at first base when they had the bases loaded. Danny De La Calle picked off freshman pinch-runner Trey Logan to end the three hour and 33-minute contest.

Georgia (3-1) was led offensively by Stephen Wrenn (2-for-5, 2 RBI, run scored), Mike Bell (2-for-4, run scored, walk) and Zack Bowers (2-for-3, HR, RBI, 2 BB) who had six of the Bulldogs 11 hits and drove in the five runs.

"We played really hard," Bulldogs head coach Scott Stricklin said. "It was really disappointing to lose like that. You can't fault the effort. I thought both teams played really hard. It was back and forth, and both teams throwing haymakers. They just got the last punch in."

After the Seminoles (4-1) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs would answer back in their half of the fourth as Bowers' solo blast knotted the score 1-1.

Florida State would retake the lead with three runs in the next two innings, one run in the fifth and two runs, in the sixth. Georgia would answer back with a four spot on two hits and an error in the home half of the sixth, giving them their first lead of the contest 5-4.

After Nick King's sacrific bunt advanced Keegan McGovern (1-for-3, walk, run scored) and Trevor Kieboom (1-for-3, walk, run scored) to second and third base respectively, Wrenn roped a single to right field, scoring the first two Bulldog runs of the inning. Following a Bell walk, Jared Walsh scorched an opposite field double scoring Wrenn and Bell.

The Seminoles would retake the lead for good with a three-run seventh inning on the strength of three hits, two walks and a balk.

On the mound, Robert Tyler (no decision) started his second game for the Bulldogs this season. The sophomore went 5.1 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and striking out seven. Sean McLaughlin (0-1) received the loss after allowing three runs on three hits in 1.1 innings of relief. Drew Moody closed out the final 2.1 innings, striking out five of the eight batters he faced.

Mike Compton (no decision) made his second start of the season for the Seminoles allowing one run and seven hits in four-plus innings. Southpaw Taylor Folsom (1-0) was credited with the win for Florida State after getting the final out in the bottom of the sixth and Billy Strode notched a save.

The Bulldogs close out their series with the Seminoles tomorrow with a doubleheader. The first game is slated for a 12:00 PM EDT start with game two coming at 4:30 PM EDT. One ticket is good for both games on Saturday. Fans will be allowed to leave and re-enter with their Saturday ticket.

Fans holding a ticket for Sunday's Georgia-FSU game can exchange that ticket for any remaining regular season game at Foley Field this year provided tickets are still available. The tickets can be exchanged at the Foley Field Box Office, which opens two hours before every game.