The Diamond Dogs split a doubleheader with Vanderbilt on Saturday at Foley Field with a 1-0 victory in game one but a 10-5 loss in the second contest.
GAME ONE
In game one of a doubleheader in the eighth inning, Bulldog freshman Cam Shepherd launched his fifth home run of the season to provide the margin of victory in a pitching duel between Georgia and the Commodores. It was the third straight game that Shepherd has hit a home run. Junior Chase Adkins went eight scoreless frames, allowing just two hits with six strikeouts for the win and moved his record to 5-4. Sophomore Kevin Smith took care of the ninth for his first career save. Saturday marked Georgia’s fifth shutout of the season.
Vanderbilt’s Kyle Wright matched Adkins, going seven scoreless innings, allowing just a bloop single to LJ Talley. He walked three and struck out eight before Vanderbilt turned to Matt Ruppenthal in the eighth. Ruppenthal dropped to 1-2.
CLICK HERE for the final stats and box score from game one of the Georgia-Vanderbilt doubleheader.
GAME TWO
In the first inning, a pair of base hits and a wild pitch allowed Cam Shepherd to score the first run of the game off Commodores starter Chandler Day (6-1), but Vanderbilt returned in the second inning with three runs on four hits off Georgia starter Zac Kristofak (2-2).
Georgia (16-25, 5-13 SEC) chipped away at the Vanderbilt lead with a Mitchell Webb home run in the second, followed by a Michael Curry RBI single in the third. Shepherd scored to even the score at three.
As the first wave of Georgia relievers replaced Kristofak, Vanderbilt (25-16, 9-9 SEC) surged ahead with three runs in the fourth and two in the sixth off Ryan Avidano and Blakely Brown. The Commodores’ Ethan Paul tacked on another run with a home run in the seventh off Blake Cairnes. The Georgia pitching staff capped its day with an inning apiece from Justin Glover and Tony Locey.
Georgia cut the Vanderbilt margin once again in the sixth, delivered by a base hit from Adam Sasser and a Commodores error at first, but Vanderbilt held on to take the three-game series as Drake Fellows earned the save.
CLICK HERE for the final stats and box score from game two of the Georgia-Vanderbilt doubleheader.
Dawg Tracks
Cam Shepherd’s two singles in the second game give him a team-leading 57 hits and 16th multi-hit game. In the first game, the home run marked his third consecutive game with a home run.
Mitchell Webb recorded his second homer of the season on a first pitch in the second inning. The blast was his second of the week, the first as a pinch hitter against Clemson on Wednesday.
Curry collected his 39th RBI in the third inning, which leads the team.
Coach’s Corner: Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin
On the first win of the doubleheader:
“Well the biggest thing was Chase Adkins got us to where we needed to be. He pitched eight great innings and really gave us the opportunity to win. We matched up with one of the best pitchers in the country, Kyle Wright, and those guys went toe to toe. We finally got into their bullpen and Cam put a great swing on that and gave us the one to nothing lead. Kevin Smith came in during the ninth and it was lights out.”
On the second game’s performance:
“The bottom line is we have to pitch better. We gave too many passes and walked too many guys. And they have a really good lineup so when you give them the opportunity they will take full advantage of it.”
Player’s Perspective: Junior RHP Chase Adkins
On his eight-inning outing in the first game of the doubleheader:
“Just putting in the effort throughout the week. You’ve got to get better in the weight room and throwing and bullpens. I felt like I had a good week.”
On Cam Shepherd’s go-ahead home run in the first game:
“Cam’s the man. Cam’s a good kid; he’s going to be a great player. I can’t wait to watch him in the future. He’s going to be awesome.”