University of Georgia
25-11, 9-6
Kentucky
25-11, 7-8
Bulldogs Split Doubleheader With Kentucky
April 14, 2018 | Baseball
ATHENS, Ga. --- The Georgia Bulldogs took game one of Saturday's doubleheader at Foley Field against the 11th ranked Kentucky Wildcats 9-7, but fell short in a pitchers duel in game two by a 1-0 margin.
In game one, both teams manufactured first inning runs but the Bulldogs exploded in the third inning for seven runs on eight straight hits. Leading the offensive barrage was senior Keegan McGovern who lifted his second home run of the series over the left field fence. After the three-run homer put Georgia up 4-1, the Bulldogs tallied five straight singles widening their lead to 8-1. The Bulldogs matched a Kentucky tally in the fourth when Cam Shepherd blasted his third hit of the game, and third homer of the season over the center field wall.
Back-to-back homers in the seventh by the Wildcats (25-11, 7-8 SEC) tightened the game at 9-6, and another run in the eighth trimmed the Bulldog deficit to 9-7. The Georgia Bullpen held off a final Wildcat comeback in the ninth inning securing starter Emerson Hancock's win. The freshman surrendered two earned runs on three hits, striking out eight men. Freshman Ryan Webb, who was slated to start game two, came on for the final four outs to register his second save.
Game two featured outstanding pitching from Georgia feshman C.J. Smith and Kentucky right-hander Justin Lewis. The Bulldogs and Wildcats traded scoreless frames until the top of the eighth inning when Wildcat left fielder Tristan Pompey scored on an infield single with two-outs off the bat of Kole Cottam. Smith was making his first career start and tossed six scoreless frames with four strikeouts.
The Bulldogs (25-11, 9-6 SEC) put two runners on base with two outs in the ninth inning but Wildcat closer Chris Machamer forced a groundout ending the game and the Georgia threat. Webb got the loss to fall 1-4 while Jimmy Ramsey improved to 2-1 and Machamaer collected his sixth save.
Dawg Tracks
- Emerson Hancock tied his career-high strikeout total of eight, which came in his last outing at Vanderbilt.
- Cam Shepherd tallied multiple hits for the second game in a row. For Shepherd it marks his 10th multi-hit game and his second with at least three hits. Shepherd has a five-game hit streak. He reached safely in all plate appearances.
- Keegan McGovern's homer in the 3rd inning in game one extended his streak of reaching base safely to 23 games.
Coach's Corner
Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin
On their chances to win
"That's how close we were this weekend. We're a really good team, and everyone is starting to realize that. We're not going anywhere. We're going to continue to battle and fight and compete every single weekend and every single game we play. I'm proud of our guys, I know the fans that enjoyed the game are disappointed that we lost that game 1-0, but two great baseball games and I know they'll be back Tuesday. This is a fun team to watch, fun to follow.
Player's Perspective
Freshman Pitcher #5 C.J. Smith
On the team's effort…
"We fought. It's a growing up process for us, for sure. We've shown that through this season, we've grown up, and we're coming together as a team. We fought the whole time instead of just bowing down."
Next Up
Georgia plays host to No. 8 Clemson Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET at Foley Field, which will be aired on the SEC Network.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Jimmy Ramsey (2-1)
L: Webb, Ryan (1-4)
S: Chris Machamer (6)
Batting:
RBI: Kole Cottam 1
SH: Troy Squires 2 ; Ryan Shinn 1 ; Ryan Johnson 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Tristan Pompey 1
CS: Tristan Pompey 1
HBP: Troy Squires 1
Batting:
2B: Schunk, Aaron 1 ; Talley, LJ 1 ; Meadows, Mason 1
SH: Talley, LJ 1
Base Running:
SB: Johnson, Ivan 1
HBP: Talley, LJ 1
