[su_spacer size=”40″] Chelsea Wilkinson (21-7) went the distance, allowing four runs, three earned, on eight hits and five walks. She also struck out six batters. Lexi Shubert (25-5) earned the win after allowing three runs on 10 hits and four walks in the complete-game performance.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Cortni Emanuel led off with a chopper back to the circle and then stole second. With two outs, Paige Wilson drove C. Emanuel in with a double to left field.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Spartans answered with two runs in the top of the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. With runners at second and third after a walk, an infield single and a sacrifice bunt, a two-run double to the left field corner gave USC Upstate the lead.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning. Niaja Griffin led off the inning with a double to right. With a Griffin at third after a fly out, Katie Browne delivered a RBI infield single that scored Griffin and tied the game at 2-2.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The tie didn’t last long as USC Upstate retook the lead at 3-2 in the top of the fifth inning. After a single and a pair of walks loaded the bases, a sacrifice fly to left scored the go-ahead run.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Spartans tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh on a RBI single up the middle, giving USC Upstate a 4-2 lead.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia didn’t go away quietly, as Paige Wilson and Anna Swafford picked up back-to-back one-out singles in the bottom of the seventh. With two on and one away, Tina Iosefa roped a double to left field that cut the lead to 4-3. Georgia loaded the bases with two outs, but a ground out ended the rally.
[su_spacer size=”40″] The Bulldogs host No. 3/1 Florida this weekend, April 17-19, in the final home Southeastern Conference series of the year. First pitch on Friday is set for 6 p.m., and will be televised on the SEC Network +/WatchESPN.