Bats Power Bulldogs Past Vols 8-6 in Series Opener

Friday, April 27

Athens, Ga.

7 p.m.

University of Georgia

29-13, 11-8

Tennessee

24-20, 7-12

Tennessee

Georgia Bulldogs

Photo by: Steffenie Burns

April 27, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score UGABox G42

ATHENS, Ga. --- Behind 13 Bulldog hits and six strong innings from senior Chase Adkins, the 20^th ranked Georgia Bulldogs (29-13, 11-8 SEC) defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 8-6 in the series opener Friday night at Foley Field.

Through three innings between Bulldog starter Chase Adkins and Volunteer starter Sean Hunley, the only run to scratch was a second inning run by Georgia designated hitter Michael Curry, who scored on a wild pitch.

Both sides heated up at the plate in the fourth inning as the Volunteers (24-21, 7-12 SEC) tallied three runs using an RBI groundout and a two run home run by pinch hitter Brodie Leftridge. The Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the inning, manufacturing two runs off of an LJ Talley sacrifice fly and a bases loaded walk by Tucker Bradley, knotting the game at three.

Tennessee jumped back in front in the top of the fifth inning on a solo home run off the bat of leadoff hitter Jay Charleston, but the Bulldog offense once again responded in the bottom of the inning. An RBI-single by Aaron Schunk and a long three-run homer un by catcher Mason Meadows gave the Bulldogs a four spot in the inning and a 7-4 lead. Schunk extended his hitting streak to 10 games while Meadows has a five game streak.

Despite working out of trouble in the fourth and fifth inning, Adkins turned in another strong SEC outing, going six innings and striking out seven men.

Sophomore centerfielder Tucker Bradley launched a solo home run to right field in the eighth inning, matching the Volunteer run in the top of the frame and extended his hitting streak to eighth games. Tennessee would not go quietly in the ninth, scoring another run, but Bulldog reliever Zac Kristofak forced right fielder Justin Ammons to ground out capping off the Bulldogs 11^th SEC win. Kristofak earned his third save.

Dawg Tracks
-Senior Chase Adkins (4-0) went six innings, allowing four runs, walking two, striking out seven for the victory.
-Senior Keegan McGovern (2-for-5) has now reached base in 30 consecutive games.
-McGovern also swiped his sixth bag of the season.
-Sophomore Zac Kristofak picked up his third save of the season preserving the ninth inning lead.
-Sophomore Tucker Bradley's eighth inning home run was the second of his career and gave him an eight-game hitting streak.

Coach's Corner
Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin
On the Georgia pitching staff...
"I thought Chase Adkins gave us a very good start. He didn't have his best stuff, but he really battled and competed and gave us six strong innings and gave us a chance to win. That's what you need out of your Friday night guy, to get you into those late innings. Tony Locey had strep throat on Wednesday, and he didn't make that trip to Georgia Tech. We were a little concerned about him going in – he said he felt great – and that might have been as good as he's thrown all year long for those two innings. Then, Zac [Kristofak] closed it out."

On Tucker Bradley hitting a home run after a fielding error in the eighth inning…
"You see good players do that. And Tucker Bradley's a really good player. His defense has been stellar all year long. He's been a regular on SportsCenter all year long. He was really upset with himself that he didn't make that play, and that's a play he makes 99.9 percent of the time. It just fell out, but he came back and hit a home run and made up for it. I know he'd rather make that catch, but it was good to see him pick himself up."

Next Up
The Bulldogs and Volunteers will continue their three game set Saturday at 2 p.m. at Foley Field. Prior to first pitch, Georgia will honor the 10^th anniversary of the 2008 College World Series Finalist Team starting around 1:40 p.m.