University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
0-1
College of Charleston
1-0
Georgia Drops 9-3 Final to College of Charleston
February 17, 2017 | Baseball
ATHENS, Ga. - The Georgia Bulldogs (0-1) fell to College of Charleston (1-0) 9-3 to a crowd of 2,913 in the home opener at Foley Field on Friday night.
Georgia starter Kevin Smith received the loss in 4.1 innings of work, giving up five hits and five runs, one unearned. College of Charleston starter Bailey Ober (1-0) held Georgia to three runs, one unearned, and four hits with eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings. The junior right hander was voted to the preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association team after the Dodgers picked him in the 23rd round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
Down by one in the bottom of the third, Georgia freshman Will Proctor notched the first Georgia hit into left field. The second baseman scored as College of Charleston center fielder Bradley Dixon dropped a Tucker Bradley fly ball, tying the game at one.
College of Charleston pushed the go-ahead run across the plate in the fourth, before the Cougars extended their lead 5-1 in the top of the fifth on four hits and an error. Sophomore Blakely Brown replaced Smith after 4.1 innings, but was unable to yield Smith's runners on first and second from scoring.
In the sixth, the Cougars pushed their margin to 8-1, featuring first baseman Logan McRae, who was 4-for-4 on the game, who singled to right, scoring Dixon and Dupree Hart.
In the bottom of the sixth, Georgia strung together three hits from Cam Shepherd, Will Campbell and Michael Curry to tack on two Georgia runs, making the score 8-3. Campbell and Curry led the Bulldogs at 2-for-4 on the night with an RBI each.
Senior Andrew Gist supplied 2.2 scoreless innings, followed by a one-run top of the ninth from freshman James William, sealing the score at 9-3.
Dawg Tracks
- - Georgia started five freshmen on Friday, its largest opening-day group of freshmen since 2009 with Jonathan Taylor (LF), Colby May (3B), Chase Davidson (RF), Zach Cone (CF) and Levi Hyams (2B). Out of the respective five, second baseman Will Proctor and Cam Shepherd recorded their first career hits.
- In Will Campbell's Georgia debut, the junior went 2-for-4 with a double. The right fielder transferred from Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phoenix City, Alabama, where he earned All Tournament Honors at the JUCO World Series in 2016.
Coach's Corner
Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin
On the game...
We got out played, there is no question about that. Smith looked good early but then he gave up a couple freebies, a few walks and wild pitches. We just gave away too many free opportunities and too many free bases. We didn't compete or play well enough to win. They outplayed us in just about every category. All we can do is turn the page and get ready for tomorrow. Tony Locey is on the mound and we are excited to see what he can do.
On Tucker Bradley's diving attempt in left..
What I told him is if there was runners on second and third with two outs, you go for that ball because either way they are going to score but with a guy on first, you got to make sure you make the play. He is an aggressive player, we knew that all along. He is going to make some great plays too. I'd rather him err on the side of being aggressive but that play in hindsight you would lay up.
On the freshmen having jitters...
I think you are always going to have jitters, especially when you are a young guy. But I've said it a bunch and I'll say it now, we will not use that as a crutch or an excuse. They are good players, they are talented and we are going to put them out there. They are going to get better as they go. I expect big things from this group and this game is not going to define us, it was game one. It certainly didn't go how we wanted it to go but we will battle tomorrow. There is a lot to look forward to. Unfortunately we didn't see it tonight but we are going to rebound tomorrow.
Player's Perspective
Freshman 2B Will Proctor
On Stricklin's message after the game:
"He just said to have confidence in ourselves. We're all great players; if we just come out with a little bit of swagger, we'll play like we can."
On his first game at Foley Field:
"It was amazing. Unbelievable. I came to the right place. Of course we would've liked to get the win, but we have tomorrow and Sunday to do that. It didn't hit me until I walked onto the field. It was a bit nerve racking, but getting that first at-bat under my belt made a big difference."
Freshman LF Tucker Bradley
On College of Charleston pitcher Bailey Ober:
"They hit really hard fastballs that we struggled with all night. They seemed to control most of the game and kept us off-balance for all of it. It's hard to bat against a pitcher like that. Throwing 89/90 definitely rattles you a little bit more."
"Seeing everyone in the stands completely makes the atmosphere competitive. You have to find a way to stay relaxed compared to practice. We definitely need to re-group. Everyone's going to go home and reflect on the Georgia baseball we played in the fall that we need to transfer to the spring. We all know we have it in us."
Up Next
College of Charleston remains in Athens on Saturday for game two of the three-game set at 1 p.m. at Foley Field.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ober, B. (1-0)
L: Smith, Kevin (0-1)
Batting:
2B: McRae, L. 1
3B: Hunt, C. 1
RBI: Wondrack, D. 1 ; Mundy, J. 1 ; McRae, L. 3 ; Hunt, C. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hart, D. 2 ; Roper, E. 1 ; Dixon, B. 1 ; Wondrack, D. 1 ; McRae, L. 3 ; Manzo, L. 1
Batting:
2B: Campbell, Will 1 ; Proctor, Will 1
RBI: Campbell, Will 1 ; Curry, Michael 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Shepherd, Cam 1 ; Campbell, Will 1 ; Proctor, Will 1
HBP: Talley, LJ 1
PO: Talley, LJ 1
