[su_spacer size=”20″] The eighth-ranked Georgia softball team clinched the series against Southeastern Conference foe Mississippi State with a 9-1, five-inning win on Saturday, March 7 at the MSU Softball Stadium in Starkville, Miss. With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 21-2 on the year and 2-0 in the SEC. Mississippi State is now 17-5 on the year and 0-2 in league action. The win marked the 12th run-rule win of the season for Georgia.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Brittany Gray was brilliant from the circle, throwing 3.1 perfect innings for the Bulldogs. She allowed just two hits and a walk in the complete-game performance. For her effort, she earned the win to run her record to 7-0 on the year. Mackenzie Toler suffered the loss to fall 1-1 on the year. She allowed four runs on three hits and three walks in an inning of work. Holly Ward threw the final four innings, allowing five runs, three of which were earned, on six hits and three walks.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldog scored with power and speed in the 9-1 rout. Katie Collins led the Bulldogs at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI. Paige Wilson drove in two on a 1-for-2 day that also included two walks. Georgia got home runs by Collins, Tina Iosefa and Anna Swafford. Five different Bulldogs stole a base in the win.
[su_spacer size=”40″] After a scoreless first inning, Georgia put its power on display in the top of the second. Iosefa led off the inning with a solo home run over the scoreboard in left field that made it a 1-0 game. Swafford followed with a no doubter to center that made it a 2-0 game. It marked the first time this season that the Bulldogs have gone yard in back-to-back at bats. After a walk to Kaylee Puailoa, Collins stepped to the plate and delivered a two-run shot, her first career home run, to left field that extended Georgia’s lead to 4-0.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The momentum carried into the third inning for the Bulldogs, as Georgia added four more runs to take an 8-0 lead. Hugo led off the inning with a stand up double to center. After stealing third, Hugo came home on a passed ball that made it a 5-0 game. After a walk and a sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third, Collins hit a chopper up the middle for a RBI single that gave the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead. With the bases loaded, Cortni Emanuel singled that scored Swafford. Leading 7-0 with the bases loaded, Paige Wilson drew a walk that drove in the final run of the inning when Samantha LaZear crossed the plate and extended the lead to 8-0.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia added a run in the top of the fifth inning to take a 9-0 lead. C. Emanuel recorded a two-out single, stole second and moved to third on an illegal pitch. After a walk to Sydni Emanuel, Wilson made it a 9-0 game with a single up the middle that scored C. Emanuel.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Mississippi State avoided the shutout, scoring one run in the bottom of the fifth.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs will go for the sweep against Mississippi State tomorrow, March 7, at 2 p.m. ET.