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Georgia rallies in 8th inning for opening win vs. Army in Athens Regional
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Georgia baseball is heading to the winner’s bracket at the Athens Regional. However, the first game of the regional was not without some tense moments for the Bulldogs.
Army’s offense was ready to go in this game, scoring 2 quick runs in the top of the 1st inning and adding another 2 in the top of the 3rd. Georgia would tie things up at 4-all in the bottom of the 5th inning, and then the 6th inning featured Georgia pulling ahead for a 7-5 lead.
Charlie Condon, Georgia’s star 3rd baseman and an elite MLB prospect, was hot all afternoon. He delivered a solo home run in the 1st and doubled and scored in the 3rd. He was intentionally walked and scored during the 6th-inning rally.
HE IS INEVITABLE
https://t.co/5V40L7jBNr (ESPN+)#GoDawgs | @CharlieCondon14 pic.twitter.com/Y4QbBJMWUl
— Georgia Baseball (@BaseballUGA) May 31, 2024
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Unfortunately for Condon and the Bulldogs, it was an error by the 3B that shifted things in the top of the 8th inning. With runners on 1st and 2nd base and 1 out, Army’s Thomas Schreck delivered a dribbler to Condon for an infield single. Condon’s throwing error after the fact allowed one run to score and put the tying run on 3rd base that would be driven in on a groundout.
Fortunately, the Bulldogs would come right back in the bottom of the 8th inning. A walk and a pair of HBPs loaded the bases with one out, and Fernando Gonzalez delivered. He was able to drive an 0-2 pitch deep to left field for a sacrifice fly to score Dillon Carter for an 8-7 lead.
DAWGS LEAD
https://t.co/5V40L7jBNr (ESPN+)#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/1CnGfS3YmM
— Georgia Baseball (@BaseballUGA) May 31, 2024
The 9th inning was not without drama as 2 Army batters reached with 1 out, but Christian Mracna was able to slam the door shut with a strikeout and groundout to preserve the win. Though it wasn’t easy, the Bulldogs will take it and are safely into Saturday’s winner’s bracket.
Condon, even with the error in the field, starred at the plate while reaching base 5 times. He went 3-for-3 with 2 walks, 3 runs scored and an RBI from his long home run. Slate Alford led Georgia with 3 RBI and a 3-for-5 day at the plate.
Leighton Finley and Brian Zeldin combined for 7 earned runs on the mound while also walking 6 batters. All combined, the Bulldog pitchers walked 7 batters with 7 strikeouts, and that will need to change moving forward.
Georgia will next be in action Saturday evening at 6 pm ET against the winner of the Georgia Tech vs. UNC Wilmington game from Friday night.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
