The 18th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs walked off Mississippi State 12-11, clinching the opening weekend series in Athens, Georgia. Cole Tate’s RBI single earned Georgia head baseball coach Scott Stricklin his 600th career win.

The fans showed up early for Foley Fest then packed Foley Field with a season-high attendance of 3,692. “The crowd was awesome, we knew it was going to be good, we could hear them before the game tailgating Foley Fest,” said UGA coach Scott Stricklin.

Georgia secured their seventh consecutive win Saturday in the slugfest that saw 22 hits and 23 runs between the two teams. Georgia battled back from a 5-1 deficit in the fourth and tied the game up in the sixth. A bases-loaded single from Parks Harber scored Tate and gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the day, 7-6. Chaney Rogers then plated three more runs with a base clearing double.

Going into the seventh Georgia led 10-6 but RJ Yeager hit a huge grand slam off of Jaden Woods to tie the game. Shortly after, Corey Collins hit a solo home-run to put the Dawgs back on top 11-10.

In the top of the ninth, MSU came back and tied the game at 11 with a solo home run from Brad Cumbest. Mississippi State loaded the bases but stranded all runners. Pitcher Jack Gowen kept it a tie game.
In the bottom of the ninth Chaney Rogers hit a lead-off single shortly followed by a sacrifice bunt from Josh McAllister to advance Rogers to second. A pitching change by MSU followed and Cory Acton was walked. The runners advanced on a passed ball. Ben Anderson was intentionally walked to load the bases. Cole Tate stepped up to the plate and sealed the deal for the Dawgs’ victory. Tate secured his third career walk-off today, making it two on the season.

The first pitch for game three is slated for Sunday at 12:00 p.m. The Dawgs from Athens will be looking for a series sweep.