University of Georgia
Elon
No. 12 Bulldogs Win 9-0 Over Elon
February 12, 2016 | Softball
Highlights and interviews from head coach Lu Harris-Champer and senior Alex Hugo on tonight's season opening win over Elon.
Feb. 12, 2016
ATHENS, Ga. --- The No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs opened the 2016 season with a 9-0, five-inning win over Elon on Friday at Jack Turner Stadium.
The Bulldog batters used seven hits and seven walks to produce the nine runs, as freshman Alyssa DiCarlo made a name for herself in her debut. DiCarlo went 2-for-2 with a single and double while adding two RBI. The SEC home run leader in 2015, senior Alex Hugo walked in all three of her plate appearances but added a pair of runs.
A couple of seniors made their presence known in their final season opener. Tina Iosefa earned the first home run of the season for the Bulldogs in the fourth inning, putting a three-run shot over the centerfield wall. Kaylee Puailoa also delivered with a double in the third inning, bringing in a run.
Chelsea Wilkinson got the start and the win for the Bulldogs, pitching 4.0 innings with one hit allowed. Kylie Bass made her first appearance for the Bulldogs, throwing the final inning. Bass completed one strikeout and did not give up a hit.
Kayla Caruso suffered the loss tonight for Elon, falling 0-1 on the season. She gave up five hits, six runs, and struck out one batter. Kiandra Mitchum came in for relief in the fourth inning, as she pitched 1.0 inning and gave up two hits.
The Bulldogs came out strong and explosive from the start, scoring at least two runs each inning. After back-to-back walks in the first, DiCarlo singled up the middle giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead. In the second, Sydni Emanuel and Cortni Emanuel reached on a fielder's choice, but showed their speed, adding two more runs.
Georgia scored two runs in the third and three more in the fourth after Iosefa sent one soaring into the centerfield trees.
Bass came in to pitch in the fifth inning for Wilkinson, pitching a three up, three down frame, as a strikeout sealed the shutout for the Bulldogs.
Georgia continues play in the Red and Black Showcase on Saturday against Winthrop at 12:30 p.m. ET and Elon at 3 p.m. ET.
HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA SOFTBALL: For complete information on Georgia softball, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGASoftball on Twitter and Instagram and UGASoftball on Facebook.
