College

Georgia Tech holds off Diamond Dogs at Foley Field

ATHENS, GA.---Georgia Tech defeated No. 20 Georgia 7-5 Tuesday at Foley Field.

Georgia freshman right-hander Hank Bearden struggled with his control as he issued back-to-back walks to start the contest as seven Bulldog hurlers tallied 10 free passes on the night. With one out in the first, Justyn-Henry Malloy gave Georgia Tech a 3-0 lead with his seventh home run. After Drew Compton followed with a base hit, Georgia lifted Bearden (3-1) in favor of freshman Charlie Goldstein who got the Bulldogs out of further trouble. He went the next 2.1 innings and allowed a run on two hits and left with two outs and the bases loaded in the third as Georgia looked to Nolan Crisp. He struck out Austin Wilhite to keep it 4-0.

Georgia (26-14) cut the deficit to 4-2 in the third as Chaney Rogers tripled and scored while another run came around on a Tech throwing error by Malloy. However, the Yellow Jackets got the runs back in the fourth to push their lead to 6-2. Freshman left-hander Dalton Smith (2-0) started for the Yellow Jackets and went three innings with five strikeouts for the win. Tech reliever Joseph Mannelly started the fourth. The Bulldogs greeted him by cutting the deficit in half, scoring a pair of runs. Garrett Blaylock led off with a base hit, Chaney Rogers continued his hot-hitting with a one-out double and then Parks Harber smashed a two-run double to left to make it 6-4. Freshman left-hander Collin Caldwell pitched a scoreless frame for the Bulldogs and then Jack Gowen followed with two more and struck out four. With one out in the seventh, Ben Anderson pulled Georgia to within one with his second home run of the year that made it 6-5. Junior right-hander Darryn Pasqua started the eighth for the Bulldogs, and Tech (20-16) added a two-out run in the ninth for the final.

Connor Tate extended his on base streak to 20 games while Blaylock pushed his to 17 straight. Rogers is now 7-for-his-last 11 after going 2-for-4 tonight. Georgia had won 13 of the previous 16 meeting with Tech.

Georgia returns to Southeastern Conference action Thursday when it begins a series with Auburn. First pitch is slated for 7:02 p.m., and the game will be available on the SEC Network and can be heard on the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network.

Georgia’s Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin

On what key aspects he’ll take away from tonight’s game for their next matchup…

“We have to play better. We didn’t play particularly good tonight, we did not pitch very well, we did not play very good defense, we did not get the hits or guys on base that we needed to. We just needed to play better baseball, that is the adjustment we need to make, the guys know that it is no secret. We must give credit to Georgia Tech because they found a way to win, and they got it done. But as far as adjustments go, you cannot walk ten guys, you walk ten guys it is a recipe for disaster. It is amazing that the game was as close as it was. We gave ourselves a chance at the end. As far as adjustments go, just be mentally ready to go when we go to Atlanta.”

#8 Parks Harber | INF

On the game tonight…

“It was back and forth in the middle innings for a little bit. We’d score two, they’d score one. It was just back and forth. Unfortunately, they finished ahead, but just the way our team has fought all year, especially the past few weeks. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for us tonight.”

#19 Jack Gowen |RHP

On how to overcome walks as a young pitcher…

“It’s mentality. You have to have confidence, and it’s easier said than done. At the end of the day, you have to know that you’re here for a reason and you have to find your comfort zone. It takes a little bit of experience but at this point, it’s like the coaches always say, they’re not freshmen anymore, you’re a sophomore now and with this staff in particular, we’ve had so many chances in so many appearances. It’s tough. You just have to find your confidence and settle in. It’ll happen for these guys. They’re really talented and they work really hard. It’s part of it. You have to work through it. It’s the ups and downs. They’re going to get to pitch again. Everybody on this staff is important and we need every one of them.”

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