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Olivia Sayer
Georgia outfielder Jayda Kearney (8) runs to second base during an NCAA college softball game between the University of Florida and Georgia at Jack Turner Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Friday, April 26, 2024. Florida won 9-1. (Photo/Callie Clark @cm_photography_co)
It was just one of those nights for Georgia softball, who got run-ruled 9-1 in five innings against Florida Friday evening at Jack Turner Stadium.
The usually formidable Georgia offense was limited to just two hits. Its one run came in the bottom of the fifth, when Jaiden Fields launched a ball to left-center field for a solo home run.
“Hitting is contagious,” head coach Tony Baldwin said. “It’s certainly mental, and right now we’re going through the challenge mentally of getting ourselves going. But we have good players, and we just have to continue to fight through it. And I’m confident we will.”
Aside from Fields’ home run, the loudest cheers came on a pair of defensive plays by Jaydyn Goodwin in left field.
In the top of the second inning, Florida’s Kendra Falby hit a pitch near the top of the zone to deep center field. Goodwin tracked the ball down and made an over the shoulder catch at the warning track to rob Falby of a base hit.
An inning later, Goodwin made a similar play. However, this time she was running towards her right and made a spinning grab against the wall. The play prevented a runner from scoring.
“She’s just fearless,” Baldwin said. “She’s just not afraid to go make plays. She’s got something to her that she’s not afraid of the moment, and she’s not afraid of going for the play.”
Shelby Walters started in the circle for the Bulldogs. However, she struggled with command, as she gave up eight earned runs in 3.1 innings. Of her 97 total pitches, only 51 went for strikes. Baldwin said he will not be able to accurately assess her performance until he watches the tape.
“Watching from the sidelines, it’s hard to tell where some of those pitches are,” Baldwin said. “I don’t think she was off by much. But certainly there was some count leverage there that we weren’t getting to go our way, and then you know, they did a good job with two strikes.
The game marked the beginning of Georgia’s senior day series, where the Bulldogs will honor each of its 10 seniors throughout the weekend. Baldwin appreciates how dedicated this graduating class is to both the team and the university.
“They care about this program, and they care about each other,” Baldwin said. “They’re really loyal. At the end of the day, some of these players have been here for five to six years. I really just love them, I’m proud of them, I appreciate them and certainly, want us to get rolling so that they can finish on a high note.”
The Bulldogs will look to even the series Saturday at 11 a.m.