Georgia’s Anna Swafford (25) smiles after hitting a home run during an NCAA softball game between the University of Georgia and the University of Arkansas on Friday, March 20, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
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The eighth-ranked Georgia softball team took a 10-0, five-inning win over the Arkansas Razorbacks in the series opener on Friday, March 20, at Jack Turner Stadium in Athens, Ga. Highlighting the win was a grand slam by Anna Swafford and a complete-game one-hitter by Chelsea Wilkinson. With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 26-5 on the year that includes a 4-3 mark in Southeastern Conference play. Arkansas drops to 13-15 overall and 0-4 in the SEC.
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Georgia got multiple hit performances by both Paige Wilson and Samantha LaZear, who each finished with two hits. Swafford brought the big bat, delivering her seventh home run of the season and her first career grand slam.
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Wilkinson (14-4) was masterful from the circle, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning. She picked up her eighth shutout of the season, allowing just one hit and striking out eight batters. Claire Clark (0-1) took the loss, allowing eight runs on three hits and five walks in 0.2 innings of work. Sydney Wright also saw time in the circle, throwing 3.1 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits.
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Georgia’s Chelsea Wilkinson (20) pitches the ball during an NCAA softball game between the University of Georgia and the University of Arkansas on Friday, March 20, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
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The Bulldogs didn’t waste any time to take a commanding lead over Arkansas, building an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. After a trio of walks loaded the bases, Tina Iosefa took a pitch off of the arm, allowing Cortni Emanuel to come home and put Georgia up 1-0. With the bases still loaded, Swafford stepped into the batter’s box and took the second pitch she saw deep over the wall in left field for her first career grand slam, and the second in as many games. The grand slam extended Georgia’s lead to 5-0. Georgia made it a 6-0 game when Kaylee Puailoa scored on a throwing error by the third baseman. Two batters later, and after a pitching change, Wilson delivered a two-run single to left that scored C. Emanuel and LaZear.
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After a scoreless second inning, the Bulldogs added two more runs to extend its lead to 10-0 in the bottom of the third. After three singles loaded the bases, Sydni Emanuel took a 1-1 pitch up the middle for a single that scored both pinch runner Niaja Griffin and LaZear and gave Georgia a 10-0 lead.
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Georgia’s Alex Hugo (16) reacts after an inning during an NCAA softball game between the University of Georgia and the University of Arkansas on Friday, March 20, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
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Holding a 10-0 lead, Wilkinson shut down the Arkansas offense in the top of the fifth, inducing two popups before striking out the final batter.
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Georgia and Arkansas continue the series tomorrow, March 21, at 2 p.m., at Jack Turner Stadium in Athens, Ga. The game will be available on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app via the SEC Network +.
