Georgia lost another SEC series over the weekend, falling twice to No. 7 Kentucky. This season, the Diamond Dawgs have managed to lose in every form and fashion, from blowouts to demoralizing walk-off wins, and this weekend was no different.
In the series opener in Lexington, the Bulldogs tried to make a statement but fell short in the end.
Freshman Sean McLaughlin pitched a career-high eight innings, striking out seven, while limiting the Wildcats’ potent offense to just two runs. Not to be outdone, Kentucky starting pitcher A.J. Reed hurled 8.1 innings, only giving up one run and flashing excellent command by walking a single batter.
In the tenth inning, closer Jared Walsh loaded the bases with two walks and a hit batsman. Walsh would give up a game-winning bases-loaded walk to Max Kuhn to end the game 3-2 in favor of the Wildcats.
The Diamond Dawgs managed to win Game 2, the team’s first SEC victory after going winless in their first seven SEC contests. Coach David Perno and the team showed that they were not affected by the heart-breaking loss on Friday night. The team bounced back with the help of pitcher Patrick Boling and closer Dylan Cole.
Boling pitched 5.2 innings in the win while only giving up two runs. Kentucky made the game interesting in the eighth inning, narrowing the Bulldogs’ lead to 7-6. Cole pitched 1.1 innings and certainly gave the Dawgs a scare but showed composure and retired the final two remaining batters.
“You can’t say these kids are not resilient, they came out and answered after a tough loss Friday, and Kentucky fought back, but they hung in there and got that first SEC win,” said Georgia coach David Perno. “This is about your will and spirit, and you have to stay in a good place mentally. Hopefully, things will start to turn for this club, but the tough thing is I think they have their best guy going on Sunday.”
The Dawgs’ quest to win their first SEC series was right at the tip of the team’s fingers; however, due to a let down on offense and a dominant pitching performance by Kentucky junior Corey Littrell, the Dawgs had no shot.
Georgia had a miserable day at the plate, only accounting for four hits in a 5-0 loss. Littrell certainly helped play a major role in the Dawgs’ lackluster performance, striking out a career-high 12 batters in seven innings.
Georgia will take on Kennesaw Tuesday evening at 6:00pm.
Loading ...
