Georgia softball opens 2023 NCAA Tournament with dominant no-hit victory

Georgia softball is off and running in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, blowing past North Carolina Central 12-0 in Friday’s opener. The game went just 5 innings with the Bulldogs capturing the game in run-rule fashion.

Georgia was on top almost immediately out of the gate, scoring its first run just 4 batters into the game. By the time the 1st inning was done, the Bulldogs had scored 12 runs.

The 2 big blows of the inning came via Sydney Chambley and Dallis Goodnight. Chambley blasted a grand slam to put the Bulldogs up 5-0 before Goodnight’s 3-run home run later in the inning made things 9-0.

NO DOUBT, GRAND SLAM!!!

Courtesy of Sydney Chambley, @UGASoftball takes command in the 1st!#RoadToWCWS x ? ESPN+pic.twitter.com/VnvRkfYezL

— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 19, 2023

? OH MY, @dallissss_!!!!

Goodnight blasts a 3️⃣-run ? and Georgia has plated 9️⃣

Bottom 1️⃣
? 0
? 9

? https://t.co/EjkqwjlY5W (ESPN+)
? https://t.co/HmJx9okv0l#Team27 | #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/dY78Bj7yRb

— Georgia Softball (@UGASoftball) May 19, 2023

The 12 runs are more than enough Georgia would need on Friday. Shelby Walters started the game pitching for the Bulldogs while 4 pitchers combined to toss a no-hitter with 7 strikeouts and just 2 walks issued on the day.

Georgia will face Virginia Tech Saturday at 1 pm ET.

This is the third no-hitter in Georgia’s NCAA Tournament history.

The last was on this day in 2014 (May 19, 2014) against NC State in Athens by @chelsw20 #Team27 | #GoDawgs

— Georgia Softball (@UGASoftball) May 19, 2023

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.