Georgia softball opened SEC play with a bang as it shut out Arkansas in five innings. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 8-0 in game one of the three-game series.
Brittany Gray improved to 10-0 on the season. She allowed just one hit from the circle. Gray recorded seven strikeouts and walked one batter. This season she held Georgia opponents to one hit or less in eight of 11 appearances so far.
The top of the lineup showed out for the Bulldogs. Justice Milz led the way with two home runs. Cortni Emanuel and Alyssa DiCarlo joined with multi-hit games. Milz handed Georgia the first lead of the day, powering the first of two home runs in the game over the right-field fence. DiCarlo and Alysen Febrey followed with a base hit up the middle and a walk, before DiCarlo advanced to third on a fly-out to right field by Ciara Bryan. Febrey baited Arkansas between first and second, which allowed DiCarlo to steal home and make it 2-0.
Milz and DiCarlo hit back to back home runs in the third inning. After the two home runs Arkansas starting pitcher, Autumn Storms gave control to relief pitcher Caroline Hedgcock.
Georgia blew up in the fifth inning, starting with a base-hit bunt from Emanuel. The senior stole second and advanced to third on a fly-out from DiCarlo. To finish the game off after five, the Bulldogs scored the remaining four runs with two outs. Febrey walked, who had two on the day. Bryan and Kendall Burton each singled up the middle to make the score 7-0. Mahlena O’Neal finalized the game at eight with a double to left field, scoring Burton from first base.
The Bulldogs return to Jack Turner for game two of the series at 6 p.m. on Sunday. The game will air on ESPNU. Game three will be on Monday at 5 p.m.