The Georgia Bulldogs baseball team defeated UNC Asheville 11-2, giving the Bulldogs their first win of the 2024 season.

In the top of the first inning, Georgia’s starting pitcher Charlie Goldstein found himself in some early trouble after an error by first baseman Lukas Farris allowed a runner to reach, which was followed by a steal of second. Farris was able to redeem himself due to a fantastic unassisted ground ball out, getting Goldstein out of the inning with no runs.

Third baseman Charlie Condon recorded Georgia’s first hit of the season in the bottom of the first inning, but the Bulldogs were not able to drive him in.

In the bottom of the second, shortstop Kolby Branch reached on a two-out walk. In an attempt to catch Branch stealing, UNC Asheville pitcher Cole Schiff threw the ball past first baseman Michael Groves, allowing Branch to make it to third. Left fielder Clayton Chadwick walked, giving catcher Fernando Gonzalez the opportunity to drive in the first run of the game, but he struck out swinging to end the inning.

UNC Asheville center fielder Robbie Burnett put the first run on the board in the top of the third with an opposite field homer to left, making the score 1-0 in favor of UNC Asheville. In the bottom of the third, second baseman Slate Alford tied the game back up with a solo home run to left center. The Dawgs threatened to take the lead when two runners reached off of walks, but could not bring them home.

Goldstein struck out the side in the top of the fourth inning, giving Georgia some momentum as they headed back out to bat. Gonzalez knocked a two-run homer to left, scoring Branch and making the score 3-1 at the end of the fourth inning.

Condon drilled a lead off double to deep left to start the fifth inning off for the Dawgs, and was able to score off of a pinch-hit homer to right by Dylan Goldstein to make the score 5-1.

In the top of the sixth inning, UNC Asheville was able to respond to Georgia after to a solo homer by designated hitter Corbin Lanowitz, making the score 5-2.

Chadwick and Gonzalez were able to reach base for the Dawgs in the bottom of the sixth, and both were put into scoring position with one out due to a sacrifice bunt from center fielder Dillon Carter. Alford struck out, and UNC Asheville decided to intentionally walk Condon to load the bases. Designated hitter Logan Jordan made them pay, slashing a two-run single to left to make the score 7-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, infielder Sebastian Murillo lead off the inning with a walk, which was followed by a Branch double. UNC Asheville pitcher Isaac Gonzales threw a wild pitch, allowing Murillo to score Georgia’s eighth run and Branch to advance to third. Chadwick tacked on another run with an RBI groundout to make the score 9-2. With two outs, Carter was hit by a pitch, keeping the inning alive for Alford to knock a two-run homer to center, leading to the final score of 11-2.

Charlie Goldstein took the win for Georgia (4 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K). The Dawgs pitching staff struck out 14 batters, along with 5 walks.

On the offensive side, Slate Alford led the way for Georgia, going 2-5 with 2 home runs and 3 RBIs. Charlie Condon also had a great day at the plate, hitting 2-3 with a double and a run scored.

This marks the first win for head coach Wes Johnson in a Bulldog uniform. The Diamond Dogs are back in action tomorrow afternoon at Foley Field for the second game of the series against UNC Asheville. First pitch is scheduled for 3:02 pm.

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