Bulldogs combine for two-hit shutout of Terriers, 5-0

ATHENS, Ga.--- The Georgia Bulldogs (7-1) combined for a two-hit shutout of the Wofford Terriers 5-0 on Tuesday night at Foley Field behind six dominant innings from sophomore starting pitcher Tim Elliot and three scoreless frames from the bullpen.

The Bulldogs improved to 7-1 on the year, their best eight-game start to a season since 2012.

Georgia also recorded its first shutout victory in 24 games, dating back to last season’s 1-0 win on April 22nd against Vanderbilt.

The Bulldogs broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning using three doubles by National Player of the Week Keegan McGovern, shortstop Cam Shepherd and third baseman Aaron Schunk, giving the Bulldogs a three-run advantage.

Georgia added two insurance runs in the eighth inning after third basemen Aaron Schunk and second basemen L.J. Talley led off the inning with back-to-back singles. After a sacrifice bunt by Trey Logan to advance the runners into scoring position, senior pinch hitter Mitchell Webb cleared the bases with a double giving the Bulldogs a 5-0 cushion heading to the ninth inning.

Freshman relievers Ryan Webb and C.J. Smith combined for three scoreless innings allowing just one Terrier baserunner. In the bottom of the ninth, Smith flashed the leather starting a game ending 1-6-3 double play securing the Bulldogs seventh win of the season.

Dawg Tracks

-With his first inning single, Keegan McGovern (2-for-4) has now reached base safely in every game this season.

-DH Michael Curry (1-for-4) has also reached safely in all eight games this season.

-With Trey Logan’s eighth inning sacrifice bunt, Georgia now leads the nation in sacrifice bunts with 11.

-Freshman C.J. Smith has yet to allow a run in three relief appearances this season.

-The Bulldogs 7-1 start is their best start since 2012 when the Bulldogs began the season 8-0.

-The Bulldogs laced four doubles tonight, a single-game season high.

Coaches Corner

Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin

On the pitching staff’s shutout performance…

I thought they were great. Timmy Elliott gave us a great start; we needed that. We’ve got seven games in eight days, so you need your starting pitchers to get a lot of innings for you. So Timmy was great. He gave us six, Ryan Webb was really good, and that’s the best I’ve seen C.J. Smith in awhile. I’m really encouraged by what we saw, and the defense behind him was outstanding.”

On a quick turnaround to Georgia’s game with Georgia State tomorrow…

“You just have to get some rest, go to class tomorrow and get yourself ready to go. It shouldn’t be tough to get up. Georgia State’s a good team, an in-state rival. A lot of our guys know their guys. They’ll be ready to play. They’re going to bring some fans. It should be a fun night at the park.”

Player’s Perspective

Sophomore RHP Tim Elliott

On the pitching approach that worked for him tonight…

“Right off the bat, I was throwing inside fastballs, and that just gets them off everything. After that, I can pound outside, I can throw my off-speed, and they don’t know what’s coming.”

On the offensive and defensive support…

“It was awesome. I can’t ask for anything else from my teammates. They come out, they give me some runs, give me some comfort, and then they make huge plays behind me on the field – those two double plays were huge.”