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Olivia Sayer
Georgia head coach Tony Baldwin and senior Jayda Kearney (8) high-five during a NCAA college softball game between Georgia Tech and Georgia at Jack Turner Stadium in Athens, Georgia, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Georgia won 6-3. (Photo/Mady Mertens: @MadyMertensPhotography)
It only took Georgia softball an hour and a half to defeat Georgia State 5-0 on Wednesday evening at Jack Turner Stadium. The win brought No. 7 Georgia to 32-8 on the season.
The Bulldogs’ efficiency started with its pitching staff, who limited the Panthers to two hits and no walks on only 80 pitches. Four pitchers combined for the effort, with Madison Kerpics’ three innings earning her the win.
“All in all, if you pitch well, you defend well, and you get timely hitting, that’s usually a pretty good recipe for winning,” head coach Tony Baldwin said. “I’m proud of the work that we put in yesterday and today, and now we just got to keep working to get momentum going.”
Georgia scored the bulk of its runs in the fourth inning, as the team collectively hit for the cycle. After the Bulldogs recorded two quick outs, Sydney Chambley sent a pitch below the zone over the left field wall. Jaiden Fields followed with a single, while Emily Digby doubled to put two in scoring position for Georgia’s nine-hole hitter Ellie Armistead.
On the second pitch of her at bat, Armistead sent a ball between the outfielders stationed in center and right field for a bases-clearing triple. Dallis Goodnight kept the rally going with a single, and Georgia led 5-0 by the top of the fifth.
The game occurred on National Sibling Day, which was fitting as it featured a pair of siblings. Sophomore Jaydyn Goodwin faced off against her older sister Jaycee, who started as Designated Player for Georgia State. The Panther avoided hitting her younger sister’s glove, with a pair of flyouts and a strikeout. Goodwin, who typically plays the outfield, made her first start of the season at second.
Georgia will next travel to Lexington, Kentucky on Friday for a three-game series with Kentucky. The Wildcats have a respectable offense but are dead last in the SEC with a team ERA of 3.66. The Bulldogs will look to continue their offensive prowess, as they currently lead the conference in home runs and are second in total bases.
“We started [preparing for Kentucky] yesterday by just getting back to trying to be the best version of ourselves,” Baldwin said. “At the end of the day, we have a good team. The season is a grind that gets through some waves. We’ve played some really good teams and sometimes you just have to be reminded that you can go do it.”
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