ATHENS – Georgia handed No. 16 Georgia Tech its first loss of the season, posting a 7-2 victory in front of a Foley Field crowd of 3,227 Friday night. The teams play again Saturday and Sunday.
Due to inclement weather, the start of the first game of the series was delayed two hours and 18 minutes.
The Bulldogs got a strong start from junior Jaden Woods and an offense that provided an early 7-0 advantage. A four-run second inning gave Georgia a quick cushion.
The Bulldogs (7-2) recorded 11 hits, with redshirt freshman Charlie Condon, junior Corey Collins and graduate Mason LaPlante finishing with two each. Sophomore Cole Wagner and LaPlante had two RBIs apiece.
“There were some guys that were saying this was going to be one of the biggest series of the year, just from an alumni and a fanbase standpoint,” LaPlante said. “I think the highlight video they showed before the game was, ‘One of the reasons you come to Georgia is to play in one of these games.’
“You could tell with the fans they were really getting into it, and that was awesome to see. On Saturday, we’re just going to have to replicate that environment best we can going to their place, and then likewise on Sunday.”
Woods (2-0) tossed six scoreless innings while allowing just three hits. He had eight strikeouts. Over his last two starts, Woods has pitched 10 2/3 scoreless innings with 19 strikeouts.
Dawson Brown took the loss for Georgia Tech (9-1) after pitching 3 1/3 innings and giving up seven runs, nine hits and six walks.
The teams play Game 2 Saturday at Georgia Tech at 2 p.m.
“Hopefully, we can get to Sunday with a chance to win all three,” Georgia coach Scott Stricklin said. “It is going to be tough. Playing at their place is always difficult. I know there will be a great crowd, but I know there will be a lot of Dawg fans in Atlanta.”
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