WATCH: Georgia upsets Florida, takes series opener on emphatic walk-off
The Georgia Bulldogs baseball program, which fell from No. 17 to No. 23 in the latest D1Baseball Top 25 rankings, is well on its way to climbing back up the rankings after an epic walk-off win Thursday night against the No. 14 Florida Gators.
Georgia, of course, would have to win the series to make a true climb up the rankings — but after stealing game one in surprise fashion, the Bulldogs are off to a good start. And Thursday’s win came thanks to redshirt senior Joshua McAllister, Georgia’s third baseman, who delivered the heroic walk-off hit.
Florida took a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, and the Bulldogs came up to bat in front of a home crowd, trailing 6-4 in the bottom of the ninth. First, Garrett Baylock notched an RBI single to left field to make it a one-run game, and thanks when McAllister delivered the game-winner.
Entering Thursday night’s contest, McAllister had been hitting .296 with three home runs, a triple and six doubles among his 24 hits, while driving in 19 runs batted in. He only improved those numbers on Thursday night after an excellent performance concluded with a walk-off single. McAllister finished the night 3-for-5 with two runs batted in, leading all Georgia hitters with three hits.
Goergia picked up a couple extra base hits from Connor and Cole Tate, too, but the majority of the Bulldogs’ runs came off the long ball: Ben Anderson, Chaney Rogers and Parks Harber all homered in the game, as Georgia was able to rough up Hunter Barco — Florida’s Friday night ace — just enough that Kevin O’Sullivan pulled Barco after five innings in which he allowed seven hits and three earned runs. Florida then sored three more earned runs on Ryan Slater and the game-winning run of Blake Purnell.
On Georgia’s side, the pitching was far from perfect, but the Gators were able to emerge victorious after using just two bullpen arms, a potential key factor in the later games of the series, as the Bulldogs’ bullpen may be well-rested. Garrett Brown got the start and only made it through three innings, allowing four hits, four earned runs, and striking out just one compared to three walks. But long reliever Luke Wagner came in with a strong effort for Georgia, turning in 3.1 innings out of the bullpen and allowing two earned runs to a very strong Florida offense. Lastly, Jaden Woods got the win, finishing the game with two earned runs and three hits, while striking out four in 2.2 innings.
Georgia and Florida will face off on Friday and Saturday in the second and third games of the series. Friday’s first pitch is set for 6:00 p.m.