Dawgs Post Another Shutout

BASEBALL

Five Georgia pitchers combined on a seven-hit shutout of Savannah State Tuesday at Foley Field, beating the Tigers 5-0.

The Dawgs (8-0) have thrown back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1986. Freshman David Sosebee made his first career start and pitched two innings in a planned staff day. Georgia’s 10-hit attack was led by freshman Hunter Cole and junior Kyle Farmer, both of whom had two hits and a RBI in four at-bats.

Georgia's bullpen saw a lot of action, with freshman Jarrett Brown, redshirt freshman Jay Swinford and freshman Luke Crumley all pitching two innings, while junior Jesse Scott contributed one inning. Georgia’s staff tallied four strikeouts and just two walks.

The Dawgs took an early lead when Farmer singled to left field to drive in freshman Nelson Ward who reached on his first career triple. Georgia went up 3-0 in third when junior Kevin Ruiz laced a two-run single to center field single that brought in Levi Hyams and Cole.

“I thought Kevin Ruiz got the big hit of the game, it was a 1-0 game until he came through,” said coach David Perno. “We had a lot of young guys go today on the mound, and they did a pretty good job. We still have room to improve in all areas.”

Savannah State (3-5) threatened in the seventh, but Scott overcame a two-on-one-out situation by striking out the next two batters. Scott recorded two of Georgia's four strikeouts. Tommy Freeman went six innings and allowed three runs on seven hits to fall to 0-2.

The Dawgs increased their advantage in the seventh when Farmer scored after Cole popped a single to right field. Georgia added to its lead again in the eighth, when Brett DeLoach drove in Colby May with a single to center field for a 5-0 advantage.

Georgia returns to action Wednesday, February 29th when they host Western Carolina at 5 p.m.