UGA comeback produces first berth in Women's CWS

Excited by her game-tying, three-run homer in the sixth inning, Schlopy sprinted around the bases and helped lead Georgia to its first trip to the Women's College World Series.

Schlopy's shot was part of a five-run sixth as the Bulldogs rallied for a 7-6 victory over Ohio State on Friday to complete a sweep of the Athens Super Regional.

"We have worked extremely hard to get to where we are," Schlopy said. "We are very proud of ourselves and we deserve it."

It was the second rally in as many days for eighth-ranked Georgia (44-10), which scored five runs in the fifth for a 6-4 win on Thursday. The Women's College World Series opens Thursday in Oklahoma City.

"This has been our goal since Day 1, and we have been working hard to reach it," Georgia's Brianna Hesson said. "It feels great to punch our ticket."

Ohio State (47-11) led 6-2 heading into the sixth. Georgia's

Tori Moody homered to lead off the inning, cutting the advantage to 6-3, and one out later, Kristin Schnake and Lisaira Daniels hit consecutive singles to set up Schlopy.

She promptly homered, tying the game at 6-all, but the Bulldogs weren't done.

Alisa Goler, Georgia's top hitter, was intentionally walked, and pinch-runner Brittney Hubbard scored on Hesson's double off the wall for a 7-6 lead.

Winning pitcher Christie Hamilton made the margin stand, but not before the Buckeyes put the tying and winning runs on base with no outs in the seventh. Alicia Herron flew out before Hamilton struck out Whitney Cooper and Courtney Pruner to end the game.

Hamilton (24-8) relieved starter Sarah McCloud with two outs in the first and allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings.

"I am proud of the hard work that the team, staff and everyone around this program have put in," Georgia coach Lu Harris-Champer said. "To beat a great team such as Ohio State, you have to work hard to get the win. We are going to enjoy our success (Friday night) and get back to work and go get after it."