UGA topples Savannah State

From UGA Sports Communications

ATHENS, Ga. ---The Bulldogs exploded for six runs in the fourth inning to set the pace for Georgia's 12-3 victory over Savannah State Tuesday night at Foley Field.

Georgia (11-15) scored a season-high 12 runs on a season-high 16 hits. Georgia utilized a staff day throwing 11 pitchers over the course of the game. The Bulldogs pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts and yielded three runs on eight hits. Right-handed reliever Shane Tucker picked up the win and improved to 1-0.

Coming to bat with the bases loaded, freshman Cam Shepherd (3-for-5, 3 RBI) delivered the big hit in the fourth by knocking a double into the left field corner. Preceding that was a Mitchell Webb (4-for-5, 2 RBI) RBI single and a two-run double by LJ Talley (4-for-5, 4 RBI). All the damage was done with no outs and the Tigers had to dip into the bullpen twice to end the inning.

The second high-scoring outburst for Georgia occurred in the sixth to a tone of four runs. Michael Curry (3-for-5, 3 RBI) smacked a double in the right-center field gap to score Shepherd and Keegan McGovern. Two batters later, Talley hit a towering two-run home run that landed on top of the right field scoreboard. The homer was Talley’s first of the season and second of his career.

The two teams exchanged blows in the first four innings before Georgia pulled away. Webb and Curry had two-out RBI singles in the second and third innings, respectively.

Dawg Tracks

*Freshman shortstop Cam Shepherd extended his career-high hitting streak 11 games. Shepherd was a home run short of the cycle.

*Freshman third baseman Adam Schunk’s two singles lengthened his hitting streak to six games in a row.

*Career-high four hits for junior Mitchell Webb and sophomore LJ Talley. Webb also swiped his first bag of the season.

*Freshman centerfielder Tucker Maxwell reached base for the 20th time in the last 21 games on a hit-by-pitch. In the same inning, he stole second for his fifth theft this season.

* Junior Will Campbell drew two walks in the game to up his season total to 11 free passes.

*Sophomore Michael Curry and freshman Cam Shepherd lead the team in multi-hit at-bats with nine on the season.

Coach’s Corner

Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin

“We got a lot of guys in there, we threw 11 pitches so that has to be a close to a record. I thought our intensity level was very good. We had some big innings and scored a lot of runs. Cam Shepherd and Michael Curry drove some guys in. We had a lot of guys contribute offensively. Mitchell Webb and LJ Talley were great. They have had a little bit of a slow start but they are veteran guys for us. They made the most out of their opportunities tonight and that is how you get more opportunities going forward.”

On getting up early…

“It looses things up for sure when you get an early lead. We went up 8-2 then we started walking guys and that was our message to our pitching staff – we have to be aggressive with the strike zone and make them earn everything. For the most part, we threw very, very well.”

Player’s Perspective

Sophomore second baseman LJ Talley #2

“I think we just had the offense going early, and we just kept the momentum going. I think that’s what we can do. I mean we did it last week against one of the top pitchers in the league. I just think we keep it rolling, and we need everything to come together in one piece, with pitching, defense and offense.”

On his two-run home run…

“There were two strikes on me, I was just trying to put a good swing on it. I didn’t swing as hard as I could or anything, I just tried to put a good swing on it. I think we had a really good approach today.

Up Next

Georgia continues its SEC play at Tennessee this weekend, with the first game scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday.