Home Runs lead Georgia Softball to Win over No. 2 Florida

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Home Runs lead Georgia Softball to Win over No. 2 Florida

 
 
Georgia Softball defeated No. 2 Florida Friday evening 5-4. Alyssa DiCarlo sent two homers over the wall in the game, including the walk-off game-winner. The win improves Georgia to 25-1 on the season and marks the win streak at 24 and 4-0 in SEC play.
 
 
The win marked the first time since April 26, 2013, Georgia defeated the Gators in the regular season. Georgia outhit Florida 9-6, including four home runs in the matchup. The Bulldogs opened the game up with three home runs back to back. DiCarlo, Alysen Febrey, and Mahleana O’Neal each sent dingers out of Jack Turner Stadium.
 
 

Alyssa DiCarlo - Georgia vs. Florida - March 17, 2018
Alyssa DiCarlo – Georgia vs. Florida – March 17, 2018
 
 
Kylie Bass pitched three innings in her start. She allowed three runs but struck out four hitters, leaving with the game tied 3-3. Brittany Gray entered and pitched the final four innings. She finally surrendered her first earned run of the season. Gray struck out four batters and walked away the winner, improving to 12-0 on the season.
 
 
For the third time this season, Georgia surrendered a first-inning run. Amanda Lorenz drew a two-out walk off Bass then scored on a Kayli Kvistad double to the wall in center. Florida led 1-0 after the first inning. The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the inning in a big way. After DiCarlo had appeared to be the third out on a popup to short, she was called back to the plate on a Kelly Barnhill illegal pitch. DiCarlo then homered to dead centerfield, tying the game. The Bulldogs helped write a little history as Febrey and O’Neal followed with back-to-back home runs of their own to put them ahead 3-0.
 
 
Georgia’s three-consecutive home runs were the first time since March 17, 2013, just one day short of the five-year anniversary.
 
 
Mahlena O'Neal is greeted at home plate– Georgia vs. Florida – March 17, 2018
Mahlena O’Neal is greeted at home plate– Georgia vs. Florida – March 17, 2018
 
 
Florida starter, Kelly Barnhill worked two innings, allowing three runs to the Bulldogs. It was the most the right-hander has surrendered to an opponent all season. Entering the game, she allowed just one home run; The Bulldogs hit three off the righty.
 
 
The Gators recaptured the lead in the top of the sixth. A leadoff walk and a single followed by a sacrifice bunt put Florida in scoring position. Aleshia Ocasio hit into an RBI fielder’s choice to plate the go-ahead run. Gray used a strikeout and a foul out to end the frame.
 
 
Justice Milz singled to third base in the bottom of the seventh. Then DiCarlo stepped in and bombed her second home run of the game to right center, walking off against the Gators, 5-4.
 
 
Georgia and the Gators face off in game two of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. at Jack Turner Stadium.
 
 
 
 

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Savannah Leigh is a recent graduate of the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia. She is an avid SEC, Dawgs, and college football fan. She also adores her four-year-old black lab, Champ Bailey.