Bulldogs Shut Out NKU, ULM

Friday, February 17

Athens, Ga.

3:00 PM

University of Georgia

8-0

Northern Kentucky

0-2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Northern Kentucky	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1
Georgia	1	4	0	0	2	0	X	7	13	2

February 17, 2017 | Softball

Box Score

Softball beat Northern Kentucky and University of Louisiana-Monroe in the opening day of the Georgia Classic.

Feb. 17, 2017

Final Stats vs. NKU | Final Stats vs. ULM | Photo Gallery

ATHENS, Ga. --- The Bulldog pitching staff had the circle on lockdown, as the No. 10 Georgia softball team (9-0) swept the opening day of the Georgia Classic with wins over Northern Kentucky and ULM on Friday.

Georgia took the first game 7-0 over the Norse before concluding the day with a 9-0 win in five innings over ULM.

Georgia used a trio of pitchers in the shutouts, holding their opponents to a .116 batting average with just five hits allowed in 12 innings. Freshman Mary Wilson Avant led the way with a combined five innings of work, striking out nine batters and collecting a save.

The offense backed up the pitching with six players who played in both games hitting .400 or better for the day. Freshman Mahlena O'Neal went 3-for-4 while senior Sydni Emanuel and freshman Justice Milz collected a team-best four hits each.

S. Emanuel posted three of her hits in game one's win over NKU while Milz and junior Cortni Emanuel followed with two hits apiece. The Bulldog offense did most of its damage in the second frame, putting up four runs on four hits and capitalizing on NKU miscues.

Junior Brittany Gray (5-0) pitched the first four innings, giving up three hits while fanning five batters before Avant closed it out for the save with one hit allowed in three frames while striking out seven.

In the nightcap, Mahlena O'Neal guided the bats with four RBI after notching a three-RBI double in the first inning. Milz had three RBI of her own, including a double in the second that brought in two scores.

Sophomore Kylie Bass (3-0) notched the win, posting a perfect three innings in the circle. The Gray, Georgia, native struck out four before Avant finished the game with just one hit and two strikeouts in her stat line.

The Georgia Classic continues on Saturday with the Bulldogs' first game at 12:30 p.m. ET against Dayton followed by a rematch with ULM at 3 p.m. ET. Admission is free at Jack Turner Stadium.

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.