Dates: Friday, May 7-Sunday, May 9, 2021
First Pitch Times: 6 p.m. / 2 p.m. / 2 p.m. (all times Eastern)
Location: Starkville, Miss.
Stadium: Nusz Park
Media Information
TV: SEC Network (Friday, Saturday)
Play-by-play: Erci Frede
Analysis: Madison Shipman
Streaming: SEC Network+ (Sunday)
Complete Game Notes Attached
No. 22 Georgia softball travels to Starkville, Mississippi for the final Southeastern Conference series of the 2021 season this weekend. The three-game series begins Friday at 6 p.m. from Nusz Park.
Follow the Bulldogs
» Friday and Saturday’s games will air live on SEC Network. Eric Frede (play-by-play) and Madison Shipman (analysis) will be on the call.
» Sunday’s game will stream live on SEC Network+.
» All three games can be streamed on the ESPN app.
» Live stat links can be found on the softball schedule at GeorgiaDogs.com.
» Live Twitter updates will be available at the official Twitter page of Georgia softball, @UGAsoftball.
BULLDOGS BULLETIN
Series History
» Georgia leads the all-time series 32-27
» The Bulldogs narrowly lead the series in Starkville, 14-13
» Georgia won the most recent series in Starkville in 2018
» Georgia has won six of the last 10 meetings
A Look at What’s Ahead
The Bulldogs will travel from Starkville to Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the 2021 SEC Softball Tournament. The tournament begins Tuesday with the 12 and 13 seeds playing at 7 p.m. Wednesday’s slate of games will feature the 5 through 11 seeds opening tournament action. On Sunday, May 16, Georgia will hears its destination for the 2021 NCAA Tournament.
Athens Chosen as Potential Regional Host Site
Athens and Jack Turner Stadium were one of 20 potential regional host sites for the 2021 NCAA Tournament, the NCAA Division I Softball Committee announced last Friday. Of the 20 selected sites, the committee will choose 16 to host regional round games. Eight of those 16 regional sites will be in contention to host super regionals. Participating teams and the final 16 predetermined sites will be revealed during the selection show on Sunday, May 16, at 9 p.m. on ESPN 2.
Georgia Rounds Out Top 25-Packed Stretch
The Bulldogs recently rounded out a stretch of 17 games against six ranked opponents, with all but one being top 10. Georgia earned five victories against those opponents. After the stretch, Georgia’s RPI checks in at 14 and its strength of schedule is fourth-best in the country.
Bulldogs Dig the Long Ball
Georgia ranks 11th in the country with 1.5 home runs per game. Georgia’s 29 home runs in SEC games ranks third in the SEC. The Bulldogs tied a season-high five home runs against Missouri (3/20) including four in the first inning. The Bulldogs hit three-straight in the inning, the first time since 2018 against Florida. Georgia’s .506 slugging percentage is 31st nationally.
Georgia in the Polls
The Bulldogs fell on spot in the NFCA Coaches Poll to No. 22 as well as two spots to No. 24 in the USA Softball Poll.
Bulldogs Topple Top-Ranked Oklahoma
Georgia hosted No. 1 Oklahoma in a midweek doubleheader on April 20. The first game turned into a nine-inning affair. After a Sooner grand slam to put OU ahead 5-2, Georgia clawed its way back in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game at 6-6. After missing home plate on a home run in the fourth inning, Jaiden Fields not only was a key cog in Georgia’s comeback later in the game, but provided the game-winning hit in the bottom of the ninth to plate Jacqui Switzer from second base to defeat the Sooners, 7-6. Mary Wilson Avant pitched a career-long nine innings in the game, allowing only five hits to the Sooners.
Mosley Lifts Bulldogs Past No. 10 Kentucky on the Road
Sophomore Sara Mosley was named the SEC Co-Newcomer of the Week on April 13 for her efforts of lifting Georgia to a series victory over 10th-ranked Kentucky in Lexington. Mosley delivered a three-run home run in the seventh inning to cap a seven-run comeback and lift the Bulldogs to a 9-8 victory in game two of the series. In the finale, Mosley put Georgia ahead 2-0 in the first then hit a two-run home run later in the game to widen Georgia’s lead to 5-0.
Avant One Hits Gators, Records 500th-Career Strikeout
Graduate pitcher Mary Wilson Avant pitched a complete-game one-hitter in the series opener against No. 5 Florida April 3 at Jack Turner Stadium. Avant fanned six Gators in her performance and earned her 12th victory. Two days later, her sixth strikeout of the game topped the 500 mark in her career. She becomes only the sixth Bulldog to reach that milestone.