Three-Run Fourth Leads Georgia to 5-2 Win
ATHENS, Ga. — A three-run fourth inning propelled Georgia to a 5-2 win over Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference opener, on a perfect Friday night at Foley Field.
Georgia used a two-run second inning, and after a pair of disputed outs on the bases in the fourth, UGA plated three runs to build a 5-0 lead. UK got two runs in the fifth on a two-run single from Gunnar McNeill.
UK starter Zack Brown (1-3) suffered the loss, allowing the damage in the big innings after some hard-luck decisions. Brown worked his fourth career complete game, allowing five runs on eight hits in eight innings, walking one and striking out seven. After the controversial calls in the fourth inning, Brown retired 14 of the final 15 hitters he faced.
Kentucky (12-5, 0-1 SEC) was held to five hits in the game, including the RBI knock from McNeill, who extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a 2-for-4 game. Evan White extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a single in the fifth and freshman leftfielder Tristan Pompey went 2-for-4.
Georgia (14-5, 1-0 SEC) starter Robert Tyler (2-1) battled command through the game but worked five innings for the win, exiting with a three-run lead to start the sixth. Tyler allowed only two hits and walked seven striking out six. Drew Moody started the sixth inning in relief of Tyler, working three strong innings, allowing three hits and striking out six. Bo Tucker started the ninth, getting three quick outs for his second save of the year.
The series will resume on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET at Foley Field. The game will be televised live on the SEC Network and broadcast live on the UK Radio Network.
The Bulldogs opened the game with a pair of two-out runs in the first inning. With a 1-2 count to Keegan McGovern pushed a double down the leftfield line. Michael Curry then singled through the left side to score McGovern and Daniel Nichols pounded a double off the wall in leftfield to score Curry from first base.
UGA stretched its lead with a three-run inning in the fourth. Nichol singled up the middle with one out and appeared to be nabbed at second trying to steal when the throw beat the runner but it was ruled he was safe. Patrick Sullivan then drew a four-pitch walk and Mitchell Webb singled up the middle, with Storm Wilson’s one-hop throw beating Nichols by the distance of the home-plate dirt circle to the plate. The tag was ruled as never having been applied, allowing Nichols, who had retreated to the dugout, to come back from the on-deck circle to the plate and touch the plate. With the infield in, LJ Talley then singled through the left side to score Sullivan and after a single to load the bases, Skylar Weber hung a sac fly.
Kentucky got on the board in the top of the fifth inning, starting with an infield, high-hop single from White with one out. Shelby and Mahan then drew walks to load the bases and McNeill singled through the left side to score White and Shelby.
