Link to Article on The Red & Black
By Olivia Sayer
Georgia sophomore Kolby Branch (9) at bat during the first game of the NCAA Athens Regional between Army and Georgia at Foley Field in Athens, Georgia, on Friday, May 31, 2024. Georgia won 8-7. (Photo/Mady Mertens; MadyMertensPhotography)
One swing sent Foley Field into a frenzy Saturday evening. Kolby Branch’s grand slam highlighted an 11-2 victory over UNC-Wilmington in the winner’s bracket of the NCAA Athens Regional.
A single and two walks loaded the bases for Branch in the bottom of the second. With only one out, the Seahawks called a mound visit to discuss how they would attack Georgia’s nine-hole hitter.
Two pitches later, Branch rounded the bases after hitting Georgia’s school-record 12th grand slam of the season. It was Branch’s 16th home run of the season, and it gave the Bulldogs a 5-1 lead. The 407-foot shot also made Branch Georgia’s record holder for most grand slams in a single season.
“I didn’t really look too much into that,” Branch said. “But I feel like I come up with bases loaded a little bit too much, so it’s good.”
In batting practice prior to the game, Branch drove the ball to right-center field on many different swings. That approach has been a point of emphasis for Branch, and he showcased it during his grand slam.
“He’s worked really hard with hitting the ball to right-center,” head coach Wes Johnson said. “Got a pitch out over the plate and got off a good swing.”
Corey Collins set the tone early with a leadoff 414-foot blast over the scoreboard in the bottom of the first. The home run made the crowd of 3,678 erupt and allowed the Bulldogs to relax.
“He gets into one, and it just lights the room up,” Branch said. “It makes everyone calm down just a tad.”
After the home runs by Collins and Branch, Georgia used a sacrifice fly, error, wild pitch, walk and hit by pitch to tack on runs. The Bulldogs are third in the nation with 143 home runs this season, but they can score in a variety of ways.
“You’ve got two goals every game,” Johnson said. “You’re trying to limit the amount of times their best player comes up, and you’re trying to get your best player up to the plate as many times as possible. Getting on base allows that lineup to keep turning over.”
Georgia’s pitching staff also slammed the door on UNC-Wilmington. After Kolten Smith left the game in the top of the fifth with what Johnson described as cramping in his forearm and tricep, DJ Radtke, Josh Roberge and Christian Mracna combined for five scoreless innings. The group battled through adversity, as an inconsistent strike zone contributed to the team’s 10 walks.
Smith appeared to call out the trainer in the top of the fifth after he walked consecutive batters on eight straight pitches. Johnson said Smith conveyed to him that he “wanted to just catch his breath and throw.” However, Johnson said he was not going to risk it at that point.
Georgia’s defense assisted its pitching staff throughout the game. With the bases loaded in the top of the fourth, Charlie Condon made a leaping grab over the wall in foul territory to end the inning.
“He’s an unbelievable player,” Radtake said. “Every time he takes the field, it’s like he does something special, whether it’s at the plate or in the field. He’s just fun to play with, and I’m sure I speak for everyone on the team when I say that.”
The Bulldogs will face the winner of UNC-Wilmington and Georgia Tech Sunday at 6 p.m. A win advances Georgia to the Super Regional, while a loss sets up an elimination game on Monday. Johnson said he has not yet decided who will start but provided updates on two key pitchers.
Johnson said Zach Harris will pitch on Sunday, but he is undecided on if Harris will start the game. Johnson also said Charlie Goldstein will be “like a Little Caesars pizza, he’ll be hot and ready,” but he does not have a “massive pitch count.”