The Georgia Bulldogs edged top-ranked Arkansas 7-6 in the third game of this telling series. Georgia catcher Hunter Henry ended the game with a walk-off homer in the 12th inning, giving Georgia a crucial series win. The Dawgs took two of three games despite seven fielding errors over the course of the weekend.
The series win against Arkansas propelled the Diamond Dawgs (32-6, 10-5 SEC) up two slots to No. 5 in the D1 Baseball Rankings. The Razorbacks (32-5, 12-3 SEC) dropped to No. 2, and Texas (29-5, 13-2 SEC) took over the top spot. Georgia has a huge opportunity to continue this momentum as it faces nationally ranked Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt this week.
After a 16-2 victory against the Presbyterian Bluehose (16-18, 8-4 Big South) on Tuesday, Georgia Baseball welcomed top-ranked Arkansas for a three-game set. All three games were competitive and were decided in the late innings.
In the second inning of the first game, Georgia took the lead with a two-run homer by shortstop Kolby Branch. They would not cross the plate again. The packed house saw the Bulldogs lose momentum mid game, stranding runners on base in the fifth and sixth innings. Then the heat came in and shut Georgia down. Arkansas relievers Aiden Jimenez and Dylan Carter combined to pitch three shutout innings, while Georgia relievers inexplicably gave up nine runs.
Game two featured Georgia relievers holding off a late surge by the Razorbacks. The Bulldogs started strong with key hitting from first baseman Ryland Zaborowski. He finished the day with a home run and 3 RBI. Additionally, Georgia pitcher Kolten Smith lasted five innings, striking out eight. Finally, the beleaguered bullpen did just enough to halt Arkansas in the late innings.
The rubber match of the series was marked by extra innings, a walk-off homer, and five fielding errors for the Bulldogs. Georgia prevailed 7-6 in the third game. Once again, the Dawgs started strong at the plate and the bullpen struggled to keep afloat. Branch and third baseman Slate Alford fed the trees with early game homers, giving Georgia 98 total home runs to lead the nation. Unfortunately, there is not much time to enjoy eking out this series.
The Georgia Bulldogs hit the road against # 14 Georgia Tech at Truist Park on Tuesday night. They continue the road trip with a stop in Nashville to take on # 19 Vanderbilt in a three-game series, followed by a Tuesday night game at #3 Clemson.
Although expectations of “solid relief pitching and complementary hitting” were not met by Georgia, the prediction of Georgia taking “two of three from Arkansas” came to fruition. The Dawgs will need to address the glaring bullpen and fielding issues that hindered Georgia against Arkansas if they hope to make it to the College World Series this season.
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