Baseball: Georgia avoids sweep, completes comeback to defeat Mizzou
Baseball: Georgia avoids sweep, completes comeback to defeat Mizzou
ATHENS, GA. — Georgia ended its season on a high note with an 11-10 victory over Missouri on Saturday afternoon at Foley Field.
The No. 25 Bulldogs walked off the winning run after trailing 10-8 heading into the bottom of the ninth.
Senior Connor Tate continued his success at the plate and doubled to left field to start Georgia’s rally. He would then come around to score on a Parks Harber single to trail by one.
Chaney Rogers drew a walk during the next at-bat and Harber moved into scoring position. After a pitching change for the Tigers, catcher Fernando Gonzalez stepped up to the plate.
The 5-foot-10, 199-pound slugger took a 2-2 pitch and hit a routine grounder to second base. The Missouri infielder committed an error on an easy play at the bag, allowing both Harber and Rogers to score, which secured the victory for Georgia (35-20, 15-15).
"Huge win," UGA head coach Scott Stricklin said. "To have the game somewhat in hand at 7-3 and the next thing you know, it's 10-7, with all of the momentum in their dugout.”
Georgia showed perseverance after trailing late in the game. The Tigers’ big inning came into the top of the seventh. They scored seven runs to retake the lead after the Bulldogs’ six-run third inning.
Georgia’s David Rokose and Max DeJong combined to give up all seven runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Missouri pitcher Austin Marozas silenced the Bulldogs in the bottom half of the frame, but Corey Acton’s two-run blast in the eighth pulled them within striking distance.
Georgia’s Chandler Marsh (4-1) was able to get the Tigers to go 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth, setting up the dramatic finale in the bottom half of the frame. He was awarded the win on the mound.
“We battled,” Stricklin said. “We won the little battles, from the seventh inning on. We just found a way to get it done. It was a really gutsy win. I'm really proud of them. What a way to end the regular season."
The Bulldogs, who had trailed the Tigers all weekend, needed that win after losing the two previous games. A victory secured them the No. 6 seed heading into the SEC Tournament, which will occur this upcoming week at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Alabama.
Georgia will open the tournament against No. 11 seed Alabama Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. ET.