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By Olivia Sayer
Georgia junior Slate Alford (44) in action during an NCAA college baseball game between Vanderbilt and Georgia at Foley Field in Athens, Georgia, on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Georgia won 14-4. (Photo/Mady Mertens; MadyMertensPhotography)
With its back against the wall, Georgia baseball regrouped. After getting slammed in game one of the Athens Super Regional, the Bulldogs responded with an 11-2 victory over NC State to even the series. Georgia and NC State will play a rubber match Monday with a trip to the College World Series on the line.
Playing as the visiting team, Georgia set the tone. Slate Alford followed up a Charlie Condon single with a two-run shot to bring new life to Foley Field. The home run helped settle a Georgia team playing with its season in peril.
“I feel like it sparked us for sure,” Alford said. “I’m just blessed to be in that situation, and we’ve got plenty of guys that do the same thing in those situations.”
The blast also allowed Leighton Finley to take the mound with a two-run lead. Entering the game, head coach Wes Johnson said he sat down with Finley to discuss slowing his heartbeat and not letting the game speed up.
Against NC State, Finley appeared to be deliberate with each pitch and took a breath before each delivery. He slowed the game down, and it was evident within the results. In 6.2 innings, Finley allowed just one run.
“I always think of it as just another game,” Finley said. “And never forget to have fun.”
The Bulldogs had fun in game two. Rather than thinking about what’s at stake, Finley said Georgia focused on just winning one game.
Georgia won the game behind a complementary performance from its offense and pitching staff. After Johnson pulled Finley, Brian Zeldin slammed the door to force a game three. Finley and Zeldin covered all nine innings and saved a bullpen that will be all hands on deck tomorrow.
“Leighton threw the ball extremely, extremely well today,” Johnson said. “And really put our bullpen at ease.”
The offense broke out after being held to just four hits in game one. In the third, Tre Phelps sent a 91 mph pitch over the batter’s eye in center field. It traveled 416 feet and gave Georgia a five-run lead.
Prior to the at-bat, Phelps was loose. He approached the plate bobbing his head to his walk-up song.
“It all starts with the older guys,” Phelps said of his mindset. “It’s a really old team — fourth and fifth years — giving the younger guys that confidence.”
Leading by five, Georgia brought all nine batters to the plate in the top of the fourth. The Bulldogs also played small ball, as Fernando Gonzalez followed a leadoff walk with a bunt. The play put two on for Kolby Branch, who doubled in a run.
NC State opted to intentionally walk Condon with one out and first base open. Alford then earned an unintentional walk on four straight pitches that looked calculated. With the bases loaded, Phelps took a pitch off the shoulder to give Georgia an eight-run lead.
Paul Toetz and Corey Collins added to the Bulldogs’ lead with solo shots in the sixth and eighth innings. In batting practice prior to the game, Collins blasted three-straight home runs. The swing resurfaced against the Wolfpack and put the Bulldogs up by 10.
“The message was just get back to your approach,” Johnson said. “It’s when you’re trying to do too much that guys can get out of a lot of sync and your hits just don’t add up.”
Georgia will play a ‘winner take all game’ Monday at either 12 p.m. or 7 p.m., depending on the results of the remaining Super Regional games. Johnson said he has not decided on a starter but that everyone besides Finley will be available. The most likely options are Zach Harris or game one starter Kolten Smith. NC State is projected to throw senior righthander Logan Whitaker.