Four-Run Sixth Inning Lifts No. 16 Bulldogs Past Kent State, 4-1

Sunday, February 21

Athens, Ga.

2:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

5-2

Kent State

1-3

Kent State

Georgia

Four-Run Sixth Inning Lifts No. 16 Bulldogs Past Kent State, 4-1

February 21, 2021 | Softball

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. – The 16^th-ranked Georgia softball team scored four runs in the sixth inning of Sunday's game to come back and defeat Kent State 4-1 and close play of the 18^th Annual Georgia Classic at Jack Turner Stadium.

Graduate pitcher Mary Wilson Avant pitched 7.0 innings in her start, allowing one unearned run on four hits. She improved to 4-0 in the circle this season. She also tied a season-best 12 strikeouts and didn't allow a single walk.

Offensively, Georgia out-hit the Golden Flashes 5-4. Freshman outfielder Jayda Kearney tallied two hits and drove in a run Sunday. Senior Mackenzie Puckett, junior Savana Sikes, and sophomore Sara Mosley each contributed a hit.

The Bulldogs and Golden Flashes were locked in a pitchers' duel through four innings. Kent State broke through in the top of the fifth when a two-out error by Ellie Armistead extended the inning and allowed the Golden Flashes to go ahead 1-0.

Georgia mounted a two-out rally in the home half of the sixth. With two down, Puckett doubled off the left field wall followed by a walk to Lacey Fincher. Both were pinch ran for. Mosley then delivered the big hit Georgia was looking for as she roped a single into center, plating Hayley Eaton. On the play, the centerfielder overran the ball, allowing Aniyah Black to score and put the Bulldogs ahead 2-1. With Mosley on third, Kearney added to the lead with a single poked into left. Kearney came in to score on a double up the middle off the bat of Sikes, lengthening the lead to 4-1 for the Bulldogs.

Avant came out to finish the game for Georgia by striking out the side to end the contest.

Georgia will host Kennesaw State Friday at Jack Turner Stadium at 5 p.m. before hitting the road to Atlanta for three games next weekend. Georgia will play at Georgia State at noon on Saturday then play Miami (Ohio) right after. The Bulldogs then play at Georgia Tech Sunday at 2 p.m.