UGA Softball: Georgia Defeats Alabama State Tuesday, 9-1
| Team | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| 9 | 6 | 0 |
ATHENS, Ga. – The 14th-ranked Georgia softball team recorded another run-rule victory Tuesday with a six-inning win over Alabama State, 9-1, at Jack Turner Stadium.
Junior Lauren Mathis (6-0) started in the circle for the Bulldogs. In her five innings pitched, Mathis allowed only one run on three hits while striking out 11. After allowing one run in the top half of the first inning, Mathis held the Hornets scoreless. Senior Alley Cutting pitched the final two innings for Georgia, denying the Hornets a hit in the sixth.
At the plate, Georgia drove in nine runs on six hits. Senior Justice Milz and freshman Sydney Kuma led the way, tallying two RBI apiece. Senior Jordan Doggett, sophomore Lacey Fincher and freshman Sara Mosley each tacked on an RBI. Senior Ciara Bryan tied a career-best three runs scored.
Alabama State used an RBI single to take an early 1-0 lead in the opening stanza. The Hornets loaded the bases, but Mathis worked out of the jam to limit the damage.
Bryan led off the bottom half of the inning with an infield single, took second on a wild pitch, and scored on a throwing error by the catch to even the game after one inning, 1-1.
A couple key Hornet errors led to five unearned runs for Georgia in the home half of the third, giving Georgia a 6-1 lead. Bryan drew a one-out walk and stole second base. On the play, another error on the catcher allowed Bryan to take third then score on a groundout by Doggett to put the Bulldogs ahead 2-1. Kuma swung at strike three but the inning was extended when the ball got away from the catcher, allowing Kuma to reach. She stole second and came in to score on an RBI single up the middle by Fincher. Following a walk to Mosley, both runners touched home when Milz plugged the left-center gap with a double. An error by the second baseman extended the inning further, allowing CJ Landrum to reach and Milz to score, widening the lead to 6-1 after three.
The score remained 6-1 until Georgia plated three runs on two hits in the bottom half of the sixth to call game. With two outs, Tyler Armistead was hit by a pitch to reach, advancing to second on a wild pitch. Bryan and Doggett drew consecutive walks to load the bases for Kuma, who drove in two runs with a single to short. Fincher reloaded the bases with a walk. Mosley singled down the left field line to plate the winning run for the Bulldogs, sealing the 9-1 victory in six innings.
Up next, Georgia travels to Clemson for the first-ever meeting with the Tigers in their inaugural season Wednesday. First pitch from Clemson is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Head Coach Lu Harris-Champer
On another walk-off victory to remain undefeated at home and what you saw from your team tonight…
“I thought Lauren was pretty good in the circle. She got a lot of strikeouts tonight and Alley came in with a beautiful close. Ciara just a spark on base, scoring three runs. I thought Lacey had a big hit to get us in there. Then Justice had a big hit, as well. A lot of good stuff up and down the lineup.”
On what you are going to take into tomorrow’s game at Clemson…
“We are going to continue to work on our approach and just keep fighting.”