The 16th-ranked Georgia softball team clinched the series win over #8 Tennessee with its 12th run-rule victory of the season by a score of 8-0 in just six innings. Alysen Febrey’s first career grand slam secured the series for the Bulldogs.
It’s the first time since 2009 and 2010 that Georgia has won back-to-back series against Tennessee. Georgia won the series in Knoxville a season ago.
Senior pitcher Kylie Bass (8-3) delivered a gem in her 13th start in the circle. She finished her six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts on only four hits. This was the Bulldogs’ 16th shutout on the season.
For the offense, junior Febrey was the player of the game. She finished with five RBI including her first career grand slam. Junior Jordan Doggett recorded three hits, tying a career best, with a pair of RBI. Freshman Lacey Fincher joined Febrey with a two-hit day.
After a scoreless first inning, the Bulldogs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning off of a two-RBI double by Doggett.
In the third inning, Bass continued her dominant early work by recording her fourth strikeout to hold Tennessee to another scoreless inning.
Sophomore Tyler Armistead started the fourth inning with an impressive diving catch. Bass completed the 1-2-3 inning to preserve the 2-0 Georgia lead.
The top of the fifth inning was more of the same as a stout Bulldog defense helped Bass notch another scoreless frame.
The Bulldog offense plated one run in the fifth inning thanks to a Febrey RBI double to extend the lead to 3-0.
Bass continued to keep the Tennessee offense quiet as she upped her strikeout count to seven and her scoreless inning count to six.
A leadoff walk by Mahlena O’Neal followed by back-to-back base hits by Armistead and Doggett loaded the bases. Justice Milz drew a walk with the bases loaded to bring the lead to four for Georgia. Febrey stepped in and knocked her first career grand slam over the wall in right to secure the run-rule victory and the series. It was her sixth home run of her junior campaign.
The Bulldogs wrap up their homestand on Wednesday when Georgia State comes to Athens. First pitch from Jack Turner Stadium is slated for 6 p.m.
Head Coach Lu Harris-Champer
On SEC series win…
“It’s huge at the end of the season we are getting down to just a handful of series left so I am really proud of the team. They brought so much heart and guts and grit today. They played really selfless and they played for each other. I’m so proud to see them playing with so much joy and loving the game the way that they do.”
On Kylie Bass…
“Kylie is one of the most underrated pitchers on the planet. She is a true pitcher. She can change the speeds and mix the spin. She’s just really special.”
On offense this weekend…
“I’m really proud of the offense. They have been working with Coach Tony Baldwin a lot. He came up with a new drill and it has been fantastic. I’m proud of the kids for buying in, working hard, and playing for the team.”