The #17 Georgia Bulldogs baseball team defeated the #4 Clemson Tigers in Foley Field by a score of 4-3.
In the top of the second inning, Clemson second baseman Jarren Purify was the first batter to reach base for either team with a two-out walk, and advanced all the way to third after a stolen base and an error by catcher Fernando Gonzalez on the throw to second. Georgia starting pitcher Zach Harris was able to get out of the jam with a quick third out to end the scoring threat.
In the bottom of the second, Kolby Branch was able to make his way to second base with one out after Clemson third baseman Blake Wright threw the ball to the side wall after fielding Branch’s ground ball. With two outs, Paul Toetz grounded a single up the middle, bringing home the first run of the game for the Bulldogs.
In the top of the third inning, designated hitter Tristan Bissetta lined a single to left, but left fielder Nathan Hall grounded into a double play the next at-bat for the Tigers. The next two batters were able to reach with a single and a double, prompting Wes Johnson to switch to pitcher Josh Roberge. The next at-bat, Wright was able to redeem his error with a triple off the right field wall to give Clemson a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the fourth, centerfielder Cam Cannarella launched a solo homer to extend Clemson’s lead to 3-1.
To start off the fourth for the Bulldogs, Corey Collins drew a four-pitch walk. Alford lined a single off Clemson pitcher Drew Titsworth’s glove and Branch flied out to center to put runners on first and third with one out. Neither Marant or Toetz were able to drive in any runs, keeping the score at 3-1.
In the top of the fifth, right fielder Alden Mathes singled to center and advanced to second after a wild pitch from Bulldogs pitcher Daniel Padysak. Wright singled to center, putting runners on the corners with one out. Padysak walked Cannarella with two outs to load the bases, but struck out Purify to leave three Tigers on base.
Clayton Chadwick led the bottom of the fifth off with a walk. Gonzalez grounded out to third, advancing Chadwick to second with one out for the top of the lineup. Condon was intentionally walked with two outs to bring Collins to the plate, who also walked on a full count to load the bases. Slate Alford was unable to bring any runs home, flying out to right.
In the top of the seventh, shortstop Jacob Hinderleider sliced a double off the right-center wall with one out, but pitcher Jarvis Evans was able to get out of the inning with no runs given up.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Goldstein singled to center, followed by another Condon walk. Tigers pitcher Lucas Mahlstedt attempted to pick off Goldstein at second, but threw it passed Wright, allowing Goldstein to advance to third. Collins ripped a single passed first baseman Jack Cringhton to make the score 3-2.
In the top of the ninth, Bissetta singled to center and Hall walked to start the inning off for the Tigers. Mathes bunted to advance both runners into scoring position. Hinderleider walked to load the bases, but Wright lined into a double play after Alford tossed the ball to Branch at second for the third out.
In the bottom of the ninth, Gonzalez led the inning off with a single to center field. Goldstein grounded into a fielders choice, and Condon was once again intentionally walked. Both runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch from Austin Gordon. Collins flared a single into shallow right, scoring pinch-runner Trey King. Condon boldly ran home from second but was ruled out at the plate.
In the top of the tenth, Kolten Smith struck out two batters to put the game in the hands of the Bulldog bats in the bottom half. Branch grounded a leadoff single into left field, and Jordan followed with a walk, but the Dawgs were unable to drive in any runs.
In the top of the eleventh, Hall lined a single to left with two outs, but Smith was able to strike out Mathes to once again give the Bulldogs a chance to win it.
In the bottom of the eleventh, King and Condon both struck out and Collins was hit by a pitch. Alford flew out to right for the third out.
In the top of the twelfth, Charlie Goldstein was able to strike out two Tigers to turn it back to the Georgia offense once again. In the bottom half, the Bulldogs went down in order.
In the top of the thirteenth, Alford made a diving grab on a Crighton ground ball to second for the third out. Chadwick and King both hit fly balls to the warning track in the bottom of the inning, but the Bulldogs were held scoreless.
In the top of the fourteenth, Christian Mracna allowed a leadoff walk to Bissetta who advanced to second on a bunt by Hall. Mranca allowed another walk, and Johnson made the pitching change for Chandler Marsh who was able to strike the next two batters out.
In the bottom of the fourteenth, Condon was able to reach on an infield single to lead the inning off. Collins walked and Alford struck out, bringing Branch to the plate who grounded into a double play to end the inning.
In the top of the fifteenth, Marsh continued his success on the mound, striking out the side.
In the bottom of the fifteenth, Toetz and Chadwick both walked with one out. Hunter was then hit by a pitch from Rocco Reid to load the bases for King. At 12:33 AM, Toetz slid home on a wild pitch to end the game in a Diamond Dawgs victory.
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