Georgia’s Ryan Avidano (27) looks on after throwing the ball during a men’s NCAA baseball game between the University of Georgia and Furman University on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 in Athens, Ga. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
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Freshman Ryan Avidano earned a win in his first career start as the Bulldogs defeated Furman 5-3 Tuesday at Foley Field.
Avidano went six innings and scattered three runs on seven hits with one walk and three strikeouts. Furman starter Matt Solter did not figure in the decision but provided five strong innings, allowing one run on five hits with 10 strikeouts. Paladin reliever Matthew Quarles got the loss after allowing three runs on one hit with two walks.
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After Furman took a 3-1 lead in the sixth, Bulldog junior shortstop Nick King delivered a game-tying, two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the frame. Sophomore centerfielder Stephen Wrenn collected two hits and two stolen bases on the night and scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch as part of a three-run sixth inning. Then in the seventh, Bulldog junior Zack Bowers (1-3, 2 runs scored) smashed a solo home run, his third of the year, to make it 5-3.
“Nick King came through with the big hit with the bases loaded, and our guys could relax a bit after that because I thought we came out and played tight,” Georgia head coach Scott Stricklin said, “(Matt) Solter had our guys absolutely puzzled those first few innings, but I thought we had some good at bats as we went along. We drew some walks that extended some innings and we were finally able to break through in the sixth. We’ve have plenty of scoring opportunities, we just need to have guys come through with the hit like Nick did tonight. I thought Ryan Avidano had a great first start as a true freshman.”
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Georgia’s Stephen Wrenn (11) high fives teammates after scoring a run. (Photo by Sean Taylor)
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Georgia senior first baseman Jared Walsh notched a single in the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to nine games. Senior Taylor Hicks pitched two scoreless innings and senior Jared Cheek took care of the ninth for his second save. Blake Chisolm had three hits for Furman while Cameron Whitehead had two hits and two RBI.
The Bulldogs (7-4) will play host to Georgia State Wednesday at 5:05 p.m.
