The 14th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs narrowly defeated the Ole Miss Rebels, 1-0, Friday evening on senior night at Jack Turner Stadium.
It was a battle in the circle between the Bulldogs and the Rebels, with senior Kylie Bass (11-3) getting the start for Georgia (37-16, 10-12). Bass pitched a complete game, recording two strikeouts, shutting out the Rebels and allowing only three hits. The win over the Rebels was Georgia’s 17th shutout of the season.
The Georgia bats were quiet, sophomore Tyler Armistead recording the sole RBI at the plate for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the seventh to walk off Ole Miss. Senior Alyssa DiCarlo and Armistead recorded a triple apiece, while junior Jordan Doggett tallied two hits, and junior Justice Milz and freshman Savana Sikes both chipped in a hit. In total, Georgia scored one run on six hits.
“Kylie pitched outstanding tonight,” said Georgia Head Coach Lu Harris-Champer. “I thought [Rachele] Fico had a great plan, and they worked really well together to execute it. Our defense was outstanding. I’m really proud of the bottom of the order. I can’t say enough about Justice making her last at-bat her best at-bat, and then Tyler to be clutch to put it in the gap.”
Despite Ole Miss starting strong with two singles, good defense from Georgia left the runners stranded and the Rebels off the board.
DiCarlo got things going offensively for the Bulldogs, with a triple to right field in the bottom of the first but was unable to score, both teams remaining scoreless through one inning of play.
While both teams were able to get a runner on in the second inning and Doggett singled in the bottom of the third, the score remained 0-0 through four innings.
Bass allowed two on for the Rebels in the top of the fifth, but a big defensive play from DiCarlo got the Bulldogs out of the inning without allowing a run.
Scoreless through six and a half innings, Milz led off for Georgia with a single, her first hit of the game. A triple from Armistead plated Milz, clinching the 1-0 victory for Georgia.
Georgia and Ole Miss return to action tomorrow, May 4 at 12 p.m. for the second game of the series at Jack Turner Stadium.
