No. 1 Georgia Downs Penn State, 8-0, In Five Innings

SOFTBALL

Senior Megan Wiggins went 2-for-2 with four RBI including a three-run home run to lead the No. 1-ranked Dawgs to an 8-0, five-inning victory over Penn State on Thursday evening at Jack Turner Softball Stadium.

In a game that was added to the schedule just 12 hours prior to first pitch, Georgia (18-1) scored its eight runs on five hits, nine walks and four stolen bases.

Meanwhile, senior Sarah McCloud (2-0) and junior Erin Arevalo combined to shutout Penn State (8-7) allowing just two hits. McCloud started and worked the first four innings, and Arevalo worked the fifth.

Georgia took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Senior Taylor Schlopy drew a leadoff walk, stole second, moved to third on a single from Wiggins and scored on a wild pitch from Nittany Lion starter Jackie Hill (5-4). Wiggins later scored on a sacrifice fly from senior Brianna Hesson.

In the second, the Dawgs extended their lead to 5-0. With runners on second and third, Schlopy narrowly missed a home run as she recorded a two-run triple on a ball off the top of the wall in right center. Wiggins followed with a sacrifice fly to left.

Wiggins put the game out of reach in the fourth with a three-run, line-drive home run to right. Junior Ashley Pauly and Schlopy were aboard for the round tripper after doubling and walking, respectively. It marked the fifth home run of the season for Wiggins.

Also of note for the Dawgs on Thursday, senior Alisa Goler, who was celebrating her birthday, drew two walks to establish a new UGA career walks record at 140.

Up next, Georgia opens Southeastern Conference play with a three-game series against No. 21 LSU (15-7, 0-2 SEC) on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET. The Dawgs and Tigers then play again on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

Admission is free to all regular season home games at Jack Turner Stadium. For Saturday's UGA-LSU game, the first 500 fans will receive Georgia Softball Silly Bands.