University of Georgia
Presbyterian
Georgia Blanks Presbyterian
February 24, 2015 | Baseball
We interviewed Sean Mclaughlin and Coach Stricklin
Feb. 24, 2015
ATHENS-----Contrary to the chilly weather Tuesday, the 18th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs started off hot against Presbyterian as five pitchers combined to post a 3-0 shutout.
In Sean McLaughlin's first start of the year, he worked a 1-2-3 top of the first with two strikeouts. The offense was on the same page as they put up two runs in the bottom of the frame. After Stephen Wrenn drew a walk and stole second, Trevor Kieboom singled in Wrenn and advanced to second on the throw. Zack Bowers promptly doubled him in with a shot off the left-center field wall for a 2-0 edge.
Georgia went on to win its third straight to improve to 6-1 while the Blue Hose fell to 6-3. Presbyterian threatened in the fifth and tried to rally in the ninth off the Bulldog bullpen.
"We came out and got a couple of early runs and Sean (McLaughlin) gave us a nice start and the bullpen did their job too," Georgia coach Scott Stricklin said. "Presbyterian is a good team, they had some chances, and we made the key pitches and key plays. Neither team made an error, it was a clean baseball game where we took advantage of a couple of walks. We played a lot of guys tonight, and that was the plan when they went to their bullpen to get some matchups."
In the fifth frame, Brandon Martin drew a two-out walk against McLaughlin and stole second. Glen Casaceli singled to left but freshman Mitchell Webb's strong throw was right on the mark to nab Martin at the plate to end the scoring chance. In the bottom half of the frame, Georgia added an insurance run via small ball. Wrenn singled to right and promptly swiped second base. Mike Bell's sac bunt moved Wrenn to third and Bowers singled him in for his second RBI of the game.
Wrenn was the catalyst, going 1 for 2 with a pair of walks, two stolen bases and two runs scored.
McLaughlin (1-1) pitched five scoreless frames, fanning five batters while only walking two and giving up two hits. The loss went to Brian Kehner, who allowed three runs on five hits in 4.1 innings.
The Georgia bullpen combined to pitch four scoreless innings . The 6'6" freshman southpaw, Ryan Avidano, pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Sophomore Drew Moody followed with a scoreless 8th inning to set it up for Jared Cheek. Cheek recorded two outs but left with the bases loaded, allowing two singles and an infield hit. Georgia turned to sophomore Connor Jones who secured the final out and notched his first career save.
The Bulldogs will face the Kennesaw State Owls (5-2) Wednesday at Foley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.
