No. 18 Bulldogs Shut Out Fighting Hawks to Close UGA Classics, 4-0

Sunday, March 14

Athens, Ga.

2:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

19-2

North Dakota

8-13

North Dakota

Georgia

No. 18 Bulldogs Shut Out Fighting Hawks to Close UGA Classics, 4-0

March 14, 2021 | Softball

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. – The UGA Classic, hosted by the 18^th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs, came to a close Sunday at Jack Turner Stadium when Georgia shut out North Dakota 4-0.

Senior Lauren Mathis (4-1) started in the circle for the Bulldogs. Mathis tossed four complete innings and held a perfect performance her first time through the North Dakota (8-13) lineup, striking out seven of the first nine batters she retired. She finished the day tying a season-best eight strikeouts. Graduate Alley Cutting worked three innings in relief en route to the save. She didn't allow a hit and fanned five batters.

At the plate, Georgia was led by a three-hit day by freshman Sydney Chambley. She scored two runs and knocked a sixth inning solo home run. She comprised three of Georgia's five hits.

Heads up offense by sophomore Jaiden Fields and a freshman trio made up of Chambley, Haley Eaton, and Payden Bordeau got the Georgia (19-2) offense rolling in the bottom of the second frame. Fields reached on an error and took third on a Chambley single. An RBI ground out off the bat of Eaton plated Fields, and a double to the left field wall by Bordeau drove in Chambley giving Georgia the early 2-0 advantage.

The Bulldogs picked up another run in their end of the third. A leadoff walk drawn by junior Savana Sikes followed by a single up the middle off the bat of junior Lacey Fincher put a Bulldog on each corner. Senior Mackenzie Puckett picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly to center, driving Fincher home and extending the Georgia lead 3-0.

Chambley blasted her sixth homerun of the season over the left field wall in the bottom of the sixth, widening the Bulldog lead 4-0.

Cutting worked a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh to secure the shutout for Georgia.

The Bulldogs will travel to Kennesaw State Wedneday for a midweek game. The game is set to begin at 5 p.m. Georgia will then open Southeastern Conference play next weekend in Athens when No. 17 Missouri comes to town.

Head Coach Lu Harris-Champer
On what Lauren Mathis and Alley Cutting brought to today's game…
"They combined very well today. I thought Lauren [Mathis] was working in all different quadrants, and so was Alley [Cutting], so it was a really fun opportunity for them to split a game and both really get some quality work in."

On the biggest team takeaways from nonconference play….
"I think they've been gutsy and gritty. They find a way and different people have stepped up. I think as we get into conference play, as we grow our synergy and our team fight as one, we'll be more successful that way."

Freshman Sydney Chambley
On her mentality in the box today and what she was looking for….
"Today was a really sweet day because, as a team this weekend, we've bonded a ton. When I was up in the box, it didn't matter whether I thought I had it together or not because I knew my team believed in me. All weekend they've just done a great job of having my back, so that's boosted my confidence excessively."

Senior Lauren Mathis
On her eight strikeouts and what was working for her today…
"Really everything. I was just moving it all over the zone, and I was trying to keep it out of the way of their barrel."