Georgia (11-0) beat Appalachian State (2-9) with a score of 5-4 after a decisive pitching change paved the way for a sixth inning comeback.
Lilli Backes relieved Randi Roelling, and finished the game with three strikeouts and no hits allowed for Georgia. Down 3-2, Backes entered the game with the bases loaded and just one out. She allowed one inherited runner to advance home after a base on balls before initiating a one-two-three double play to end the inning.
“We just wanted to make sure that we kept the game in a place where we could come back and win it,” Georgia head coach Tony Baldwin said. “We just felt like it was the right situation to go to Lilli.”
Appalachian State finished the game with seven runners left on base, three of which at the hands of Backes in the top of the fifth. Backes entered the game with an ERA of .340 and is on the watchlist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
On offense, Jaydyn Goodwin and Emily Digby registered two RBIs each and played a pivotal role in Georgia’s sixth inning rally. Digby’s double to right center field allowed Sarah Gordon to score and begin the comeback. Paislie Allen allowed Georgia to tie the game after a fielder’s choice. The inning was then capped off by an RBI single from Goodwin for the Bulldogs to take the lead.
“We’re just trying to be the best version of this team that we can be,” Baldwin said. “I think what I hope people see is that this young group has got some personality and some competitiveness, and they’re getting better every day.”
Georgia will play undefeated Syracuse tomorrow in another game of the Georgia Classic.