University of Georgia Athletics
Sunday, March 24
Athens, Ga.
Noon
University of Georgia
21-3, 5-1
9
vs
7
LSU
17-7, 4-2
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8
9
R
H
E
LSU
0
0
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4
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7
11
2
Georgia
0
0
4
0
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0
2
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X
9
11
0
No. 5 Georgia Wins Series Over No. 10 LSU
March 24, 2019 | Baseball
ATHENS— Fifth-ranked Georgia defeated No. 10 LSU 9-7 here Sunday to clinch another Southeastern Conference series in front of a sold-out Foley Field crowd of 3,042.
The Bulldogs improved to 21-3 overall and 5-1 in the SEC, winning their first series over the Tigers since 2011. LSU dropped to 17-7 (4-2 SEC) as the Tigers claimed the opener 1-0 Friday and saw Georgia respond by winning 2-0 Saturday and clinching the series Sunday with Aaron Schunk notching his SEC-leading ninth save by getting the final five outs.
In the third inning, the Bulldogs loaded the bases with two outs. Riley King and Schunk reached with a pair of singles, and the Tigers elected to intentional walk Georgia's leading hitter in senior LJ Talley to load the bases for designated hitter John Cable. He smashed Eric Walker's offering on to the hill in right field for his second grand slam of the season. In the fifth, the Tigers got a run back on a sacrifice fly from Brandt Broussard to make it 4-1.
In the seventh, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 6-1 off the Tiger bullpen. Junior Tucker Maxwell lined a one-out single and then notched a pair of stolen bases to make him 11-for-11 on the year. On his steal of third, the throw ended up in left field to allow him to trot home. With two outs, Talley added an RBI-single off Trent Vietmeier. Walker pitched five innings and allowed four runs on five hits with five strikeouts to fall to 1-1.
Georgia junior right-hander Tony Locey provided 5.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits with five walks and a strikeouts to go to 4-0 on the year. Junior Zac Kristofak came in for Locey in the sixth and pitched 1.2 innings with three strikeouts before allowing a home run to Josh Smith in the eighth. Following a walk, the Bulldogs looked to left-hander Justin Glover who made his third appearance of the series. He got the first out of the inning but a sacrifice fly from Chris Reid and then a two-run home run from Daniel Cabrera made it a one-run contest. Georgia turned to freshman Cole Wilcox who retired one Tiger and then with a 2-0 count, the Bulldogs called on Schunk to extinguish the rally. He got the next two hitters to maintain a 6-5 edge.
Georgia answered in the bottom of the eighth off Devin Fontenot. Chaney Rogers led off with a walk and then junior Austin Biggar smashed an opposite field two-run blast to right field for his first home run of the year and an 8-5 lead. Then with one out, Maxwell followed with a shot over the scoreboard for his team-leading sixth home run and a 9-5 lead. The Tigers did not go quietly in the ninth, scoring two runs on three hits off Schunk. Freshman Randon Jernigan made a leaping catch at the left field wall for the first out in the frame while the final out was recorded by Cole Tate with the bases loaded when he stepped on the bag at third base.
Up next, Georgia travels to Atlanta Tuesday to face Georgia Tech. First pitch will be at 7 p.m. and be streamed on the ACC Network Extra and the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network.
Dawg Tracks
Coach's Corner
"It was a great weekend of baseball. LSU is one of those historic programs in college baseball, preseason number one and just all around full of talent. We found a way to win the series. We always talk to our guys about how this is every weekend in the SEC. We have to take the wins for what they are when they come. It's great to have the atmosphere and the sellouts. It was a weekend of three thrilling, excellent baseball games."
On the offense…
"John Cable has been swinging the bat really well and I said it in the dugout that I knew they wouldn't pitch to LJ Talley. And they didn't, they put him on base which I think was the right move for them. John just jumped on the first pitch and just connected really well and got all of that ball. He had three really great swings today, his line drive to center and first just was bad luck. It was great to see Austin Biggar step up, he hit a huge home run and I'm just really happy for him and his performance today. Randon Jernigan stumbled a little offensively but we would not have won if he hadn't made the catch in left field to prevent LSU from hitting a home run. Cole Tate got the final out so really you can see how everyone on this team contributed to the win."
On the pitching…
"Pitching was certainly excellent on Friday and Saturday. Today we walked too many guys, nine in total, I don't know how you win when you walk that many guys. But we really toughened up on base, we made some pitches and really got out of some jams. I think we were very fortunate to win the game today. But we showed our grit and our toughness and found a way to get through it. The bottom line is we got a W but now we need to prepare for Georgia Tech on Tuesday."
Players Perspective
John Cable
On his grand slam and the series win…
"It was awesome. I would say as a baseball moment, the grand slam was one of the best moments of my career. To win the series, this was huge especially after LSU came back today. It was stressful. We have a lot of confidence in each guy here. But it was fun game and a big win for us. LSU is a great team. Our pitching was tremendous this weekend, and they kind of carried us the whole season."
Austin Biggar
On winning the series after dropping the opener…
"It was really big, The way we responded was huge. If we can keep doing that all year, then we are going to be just fine."
On replacing the injured Mason Meadows…
"First of all, my mind was on Mason and making sure he was okay. You never want that to happen. I had to go out there and play my heart out. "
Follow the Bulldogs
For the latest on Georgia baseball, follow the Georgia baseball team on Twitter (@baseballuga), Instagram (@baseballuga), and Facebook (Georgia Baseball).
The Bulldogs improved to 21-3 overall and 5-1 in the SEC, winning their first series over the Tigers since 2011. LSU dropped to 17-7 (4-2 SEC) as the Tigers claimed the opener 1-0 Friday and saw Georgia respond by winning 2-0 Saturday and clinching the series Sunday with Aaron Schunk notching his SEC-leading ninth save by getting the final five outs.
In the third inning, the Bulldogs loaded the bases with two outs. Riley King and Schunk reached with a pair of singles, and the Tigers elected to intentional walk Georgia's leading hitter in senior LJ Talley to load the bases for designated hitter John Cable. He smashed Eric Walker's offering on to the hill in right field for his second grand slam of the season. In the fifth, the Tigers got a run back on a sacrifice fly from Brandt Broussard to make it 4-1.
In the seventh, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 6-1 off the Tiger bullpen. Junior Tucker Maxwell lined a one-out single and then notched a pair of stolen bases to make him 11-for-11 on the year. On his steal of third, the throw ended up in left field to allow him to trot home. With two outs, Talley added an RBI-single off Trent Vietmeier. Walker pitched five innings and allowed four runs on five hits with five strikeouts to fall to 1-1.
Georgia junior right-hander Tony Locey provided 5.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits with five walks and a strikeouts to go to 4-0 on the year. Junior Zac Kristofak came in for Locey in the sixth and pitched 1.2 innings with three strikeouts before allowing a home run to Josh Smith in the eighth. Following a walk, the Bulldogs looked to left-hander Justin Glover who made his third appearance of the series. He got the first out of the inning but a sacrifice fly from Chris Reid and then a two-run home run from Daniel Cabrera made it a one-run contest. Georgia turned to freshman Cole Wilcox who retired one Tiger and then with a 2-0 count, the Bulldogs called on Schunk to extinguish the rally. He got the next two hitters to maintain a 6-5 edge.
Georgia answered in the bottom of the eighth off Devin Fontenot. Chaney Rogers led off with a walk and then junior Austin Biggar smashed an opposite field two-run blast to right field for his first home run of the year and an 8-5 lead. Then with one out, Maxwell followed with a shot over the scoreboard for his team-leading sixth home run and a 9-5 lead. The Tigers did not go quietly in the ninth, scoring two runs on three hits off Schunk. Freshman Randon Jernigan made a leaping catch at the left field wall for the first out in the frame while the final out was recorded by Cole Tate with the bases loaded when he stepped on the bag at third base.
Up next, Georgia travels to Atlanta Tuesday to face Georgia Tech. First pitch will be at 7 p.m. and be streamed on the ACC Network Extra and the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network.
Dawg Tracks
- Junior 3B/Closer Aaron Schunk is 9-for-9 in save chances and recorded his second of the series Sunday. He went 2-for-4 at the plate.
- Graduate designated hitter John Cable smashed his second grand slam of the season. It was his third home run of the year.
- Junior Tucker Maxwell is 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts this season after collecting a a pair Sunday. Also, he crushed his team-leading sixth home run.
- Junior left-hander Justin Glover pitched in every game of the series.
- Sophomore catcher Mason Meadows had to leave the game during his first at bat when he fouled off a pitch, and it struck him, causing a facial fracture.
- At 21-3, the Bulldogs are off to their best start since 2009 when they were 21-3 after 24 games.
Coach's Corner
- Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin
"It was a great weekend of baseball. LSU is one of those historic programs in college baseball, preseason number one and just all around full of talent. We found a way to win the series. We always talk to our guys about how this is every weekend in the SEC. We have to take the wins for what they are when they come. It's great to have the atmosphere and the sellouts. It was a weekend of three thrilling, excellent baseball games."
On the offense…
"John Cable has been swinging the bat really well and I said it in the dugout that I knew they wouldn't pitch to LJ Talley. And they didn't, they put him on base which I think was the right move for them. John just jumped on the first pitch and just connected really well and got all of that ball. He had three really great swings today, his line drive to center and first just was bad luck. It was great to see Austin Biggar step up, he hit a huge home run and I'm just really happy for him and his performance today. Randon Jernigan stumbled a little offensively but we would not have won if he hadn't made the catch in left field to prevent LSU from hitting a home run. Cole Tate got the final out so really you can see how everyone on this team contributed to the win."
On the pitching…
"Pitching was certainly excellent on Friday and Saturday. Today we walked too many guys, nine in total, I don't know how you win when you walk that many guys. But we really toughened up on base, we made some pitches and really got out of some jams. I think we were very fortunate to win the game today. But we showed our grit and our toughness and found a way to get through it. The bottom line is we got a W but now we need to prepare for Georgia Tech on Tuesday."
Players Perspective
John Cable
On his grand slam and the series win…
"It was awesome. I would say as a baseball moment, the grand slam was one of the best moments of my career. To win the series, this was huge especially after LSU came back today. It was stressful. We have a lot of confidence in each guy here. But it was fun game and a big win for us. LSU is a great team. Our pitching was tremendous this weekend, and they kind of carried us the whole season."
Austin Biggar
On winning the series after dropping the opener…
"It was really big, The way we responded was huge. If we can keep doing that all year, then we are going to be just fine."
On replacing the injured Mason Meadows…
"First of all, my mind was on Mason and making sure he was okay. You never want that to happen. I had to go out there and play my heart out. "
Follow the Bulldogs
For the latest on Georgia baseball, follow the Georgia baseball team on Twitter (@baseballuga), Instagram (@baseballuga), and Facebook (Georgia Baseball).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Locey, Tony (4-0)
L: Eric Walker (1-1)
S: Schunk, Aaron (9)
Batting:
2B: Zach Watson 1
HR: Josh Smith 1 ; Daniel Cabrera 1
RBI: Josh Smith 1 ; Chris Reid 1 ; Daniel Cabrera 3 ; Giovanni DiGiacomo 1 ; Brandt Broussard 1
SF: Chris Reid 1 ; Brandt Broussard 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Josh Smith 2 ; Zach Watson 1 ; Antoine Duplantis 2 ; Daniel Cabrera 2
SB: Zach Watson 1
CS: Giovanni DiGiacomo 1 ; Hal Hughes 1
Batting:
2B: Rogers, Chaney 1
HR: Cable, John 1 ; Biggar, Austin 1 ; Maxwell, Tucker 1
RBI: Talley, LJ 1 ; Cable, John 4 ; Biggar, Austin 2 ; Maxwell, Tucker 1
Base Running:
RUNS: King, Riley 2 ; Schunk, Aaron 1 ; Talley, LJ 1 ; Cable, John 1 ; Rogers, Chaney 1 ; Biggar, Austin 1 ; Maxwell, Tucker 2
SB: Maxwell, Tucker 2
Game Leaders
AB
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H
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RBI
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3b/p
AB
4
R
1
H
2
RBI
0
AB
4
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
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OF/1B/LHP
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