Georgia senior shortstop Alyssa DiCarlo broke the program’s all-time home runs record in Sunday’s 6-0 win over Western Illinois.
DiCarlo, a native of Glendale, Arizona, hit two home runs in the contest, first tying then breaking the record of 58 previously held by Alisa Goler (2008-11). DiCarlo finished the game 2-for-2 with three runs scored and three RBI.
“I’m super proud of [Alyssa] and all the girls said the same thing in the team room,” said associate head coach Tony Baldwin. “Not only is she a great player but she is a great person and a great teammate. She’s a really good leader and that is what you look for in players. I’m just thankful we get an opportunity to coach her and work with her and proud that she is a Bulldog.
“She has been [an impact player] since she stepped foot at Georgia. We have had a number of really good players go through this program so if you hold a record in just about anything then that is an accomplishment, certainly one as prestigious as home runs. So just proud of her, she’s a great player but she’s a better person.”
Every Bulldog run came via the long ball Sunday as freshman Lacey Fincher and junior Ciara Bryan each had a home run, both in the third inning. Along with DiCarlo, Bryan finished 2-for-3 on the day.
In the circle, the Bulldogs (23-3) earned their 12th shutout of the season behind five scoreless innings by Kylie Bass (6-0). Bass allowed just four hits and fanned seven hitters. Alley Cutting closed the game, pitching the final two innings, earning four strikeouts.
“Kylie was outstanding,” Baldwin added. “I thought she really attacked the hitters, she used her stuff really well. Then to see Alley go in there and get back on the horse after less than her best yesterday, I don’t think she was off by much, but it wasn’t her best; but today to come back and throw the way she did was fun to see. Really proud of the defense, thought we were calm and played with a good tempo on defense. All and all a pretty good day.”
DiCarlo tied Georgia’s all-time home runs record with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first, putting the Bulldogs ahead early, 2-0.
The Bulldogs widened the lead in the bottom of the third with a pair of home runs. The first was a two-run home run by Fincher. Bryan’s third home run of the tournament was a solo shot to center field, lengthening the lead to 5-0 after three innings.
DiCarlo captured the all-time record with her 59th career home run, a solo shot to center field, in the home half of the fifth, bringing the Bulldogs’ lead to 6-0.
Georgia takes on Western Illinois in the final game of the UGA Classic Monday evening at 6 p.m. at Jack Turner Stadium.