Ad Disclosure
Georgia topples regional host Duke in dramatic, extra-innings finale
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Georgia softball is riding high, punching its ticket to the Super Regionals on Sunday with a dramatic regional win over Duke.
For much of the afternoon, the Bulldogs appeared to be in serious trouble vs. the host Blue Devils. After Georgia won the first 2 games of the regional to advance to the regional championship, Duke captured the first game on Sunday, 8-1, to force the decisive Game 7.
Playing in front of its home crowd, Duke jumped out in front in the 1st inning with a 2-run home run from Ana Gold. However, that proved to be the only runs the Blue Devils would muster in the game.
However, the comeback for the Bulldogs was far from easy. They did not get on the board until an RBI single in the 6th, and Georgia would tie it with another RBI single in the 7th.
Once the game rolled into extras, the 8th inning provided the pivotal lightning strike from Georgia. Jaydyn Goodwin delivered a go-ahead home run on the first pitch of the inning, spurring Georgia to the eventual 5-2 win:
Georgia’s Randi Roelling went all 8 innings for the Bulldogs in spectacular fashion. After the early home run, Roelling was nails with nothing else allowed, scattering just 3 hits after the 1st inning.
The win sends Georgia to its 3rd straight Super Regional appearance, but the Bulldogs are in search of their first trip to the Women’s College World Series since 2021. To get there, they will need to take down another national seed, this time coming in the form of SEC rival Florida.
The No. 3 nationally seeded Gators will host the best of 3 series in Gainesville. The longtime rivals did not face off during the regular season, and the winner of the showdown will advance to the WCWS in Oklahoma City.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
