University of Georgia
21-6, 7-1
Texas A&M
20-8, 2-6
Bulldogs Clinch Series Versus #15 Aggies Behind Two-Hit Shutout, 3-0
March 30, 2018 | Baseball
Highlights
Inteviews
ATHENS, Ga.--- The 24th ranked Georgia Bulldogs (21-6, 7-1) combined on a two-hit shutout of the 15th ranked Texas A&M Aggies 3-0 Saturday night at Foley Field clinching the series on the way to their ninth consecutive win.
Runs were at a premium between Bulldog freshman Emerson Hancock (3-1) and Aggie starter John Doxakis (4-1) who entered play with a 1.59 ERA having allowed just eight earned runs in seven appearances on the mound this season. The Georgia offense found a way to scratch across two runs off the lefty Doxakis in the bottom of the second using three singles. An RBI single by Tucker Bradley scored catcher Mason Meadows and Aaron Schunk followed with a sacrifice fly to right giving the Bulldogs a two run advantage.
Georgia added a solo tally in the fourth inning on Tucker Bradley's second run scoring hit of the game, this time driving in LJ Talley as the Bulldogs saw their lead grow to three.
After cruising along through 3.1 innings without allowing a hit, Georgia starter Emerson Hancock was forced to leave the game with an injury he appeared to suffer throwing a pitch to Aggie designated-hitter Hunter Coleman. Right hander Tony Locey (5-0) entered the game picking up right where Hancock left off allowing just one hit in 3.2 innings of relief.
The Bulldogs turned to sophomore Zac Kristofak who tossed a scoreless eighth inning and Aaron Schunk who closed out the Aggies (20-8, 2-6) with a one-two-three ninth inning to give the Bulldogs their seventh consecutive conference victory and their third shutout in four games.
Dawg Tracks
-Aaron Schunk picked up his third save of the season
-Tucker Maxwell's two stolen bases in the sixth inning doubled his season total to four.
-Keegan McGovern, Michael Curry and Tucker Bradley have now all reached base safely in 17 consecutive games.
-The Bulldogs completed three shutouts in four games for the first time since 1980.
-Georgia's 7-1 start in SEC play is their best mark since a 7-2 start in 2002.
Coaches Corner
Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin
On the bullpen stepping up…
"The bullpen really can't be much better. Kevin Smith last night was outstanding and Tony Locey two Fridays in a row. He did that last Friday to win that game for us against South Carolina. He comes in and you can argue his stuff is just as good as Emerson's. I think he sat down 11 out of 12 and Locey was 94, 95. Our guys really rallied around that. They did it last week and they did it again. Kristofak came in in the 8th and Schunk in the 9th, the bullpen really rallied tonight"
Player's Perspective
Sophomore Aaron Schunk
On getting the chance to close out the series on the mound…
"It feels really good. I was chomping at the bit, I was down in the bullpen not really knowing what to do with myself. I really wanted to get in there and close it down. As soon as I got in there I executed my pitches and did what I needed to do for my team."
Next Up
The Bulldogs will go for the series sweep of Texas A&M tomorrow afternoon at Foley Field with first pitch scheduled for 2pm.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Locey, Tony (5-0)
L: Doxakis, John (4-1)
S: Schunk, Aaron (3)
Base Running:
HBP: Wingate, Allonte 1
Batting:
2B: Shepherd, Cam 1
RBI: Bradley, Tucker 2 ; Schunk, Aaron 1
SF: Schunk, Aaron 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Talley, LJ 1 ; Meadows, Mason 1 ; Maxwell, Tucker 1
SB: Talley, LJ 1 ; Maxwell, Tucker 2
HBP: Meadows, Mason 1
PO: Meadows, Mason 1
