Georgia defeats Albany 9-1, completes sweep
Georgia defeats Albany 9-1, completes sweep
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia defeated Albany 9-1 on Sunday to complete the three-game sweep.
The No. 14 Bulldogs (3-0) defeated the Great Danes (0-3) dramatically on Saturday evening but cruised in the rubber game of the series on Sunday behind a complete team effort.
Redshirt senior Josh McAllister led Georgia offensively by going 2-for-3 and driving in three RBIs. Senior Cory Action also had a two-hit, two-RBI day at the plate. Meanwhile, sophomore Fernando Gonzalez and freshman Cole Wagner also had a pair of RBIs.
Georgia head coach Scott Stricklin was proud of the way his guys performed in the series finale.
"I told the guys, good teams win series, great teams sweep," Stricklin said. "That was the challenge going in today.”
On the mound, transfer Dylan Ross got his first start as a Bulldog and earned the win. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound right-hander pitched five complete innings and only gave up one earned run. Ross limited the Great Danes to four hits and struck out six while only walking two batters.
Stricklin pointed out that he was impressed with Ross’ control and overall speed during his debut.
“Dylan (Ross) only gave up one run and was up to 95 MPH,” Sticklin said. “I'm excited about the talent we have on this pitching staff and the overall depth we have on this team."
Following a slow start on Saturday, Georgia struck early and often on Sunday at the plate. Senior Cole Tate reached base on a single in the first inning and scored on a passed ball. The Bulldogs got on the board again in the third inning as Gonzalez doubled to right field, scoring McAllister and Wagner.
Albany’s only run came in the top of the fifth on a sacrifice fly, but Georgia would respond in the bottom half of the inning. Wagner started things off with a solo home run, followed by a double by Action that scored Gonzalez and senior Randon Jernigan.
In the bottom of the eighth, McAllister cleared the bases with a double to left field that scored Connor Tate, Chaney Rogers and Buddy Floyd. That hit extended the Bulldogs’ lead to eight. Junior relief pitcher Michael Polk came into pitch in the ninth to close out the game for Georgia. The right-hander struck out one and gave up zero runs.
Stricklin acknowledged the Bulldogs’ toughness on Sunday after two close games to open the series.
“We’ve had two close games, and that’s what you want early in the season,” Stricklin said. “We’d love to sit back in a rocking chair and win by 10 runs but that doesn’t happen in college baseball. Everybody is good. They’re old and experienced. We knew it was going to be a challenge. We were able to fight back when things didn’t look like they were going our way. I was encouraged by our kids not giving up and showing some fight.”
Georgia will be back in action for a mid-week matchup with the Wofford Terriers on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at Foley Field. The first pitch is slated for 5 p.m.
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