Bell set a new career high with two home runs and five RBIs after posting one home run and 8 RBI in 104 at bats as a freshman. Freshman left fielder Keegan McGovern added three hits and four RBIs (including a three-run home run) in his debut. Sophomore pitcher Robert Tyler (1-0) notched seven strikeouts and gave up three runs (two earned) in five innings of work to earn the victory.
[break] [break]“You can’t really ask for more than that,” Georgia head coach Scott Stricklin said. “How about how many freshmen we had coming out and getting their first career hit tonight. It was just encouraging to see, we played good defense and all-around you can’t draw it up better than that…There’s no question the offense is going to go up [this season] with all of the balls we hit. Mike Bell crushed a couple of balls, Keegan McGovern hit that ball to the moon and Daniel Nichols hit one off the scoreboard.”
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Georgia’s five home runs were its most since 2009 when it had seven in a 24-8 victory over Ohio State in an NCAA Regional in Tallahassee, Fla. Juniors Zack Bowers and Daniel Nichols each added a home run of their own, while sophomore transfer Trevor Kieboom finished 2-4 with a double and an RBI in his first game at Georgia. Skyler Weber had three hits and two RBIs and DJ Smith added two hits and an RBI in two plate appearances. The Bulldog bullpen provided four scoreless frames including two from freshman Bo Tucker and one apiece by senior Taylor Hicks and freshman Ryan Avidano.
[break] [break]The Panthers’ Jake Johansmeier (0-1) got the loss after giving up 10 runs (eight earned) over four innings. Joseph Duncan went 2-4 with a run scored for Eastern Illinois.
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Georgia and Eastern Illinois square off for game two of the series on Saturday at noon.
[break]All photos by Sean Taylor