March 11, 2014
ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia scored 16 runs in the first three innings and exploded for nine more in the bottom of the eighth as the Bulldog bats downed WKU 26-7 at Foley Field on Tuesday night.
Georgia (11-6) jumped on WKU (10-6) right away, tallying hits in each of its first five at bats with all five coming around to score. The Hilltoppers chipped into the five-run deficit in the second inning with back-to-back two-out RBI singles from junior catcher Ryan Messex and sophomore outfielder Trevor Lowe to trim the Georgia lead to 5-2.
The Bulldogs responded with three more runs in the bottom of the second inning, with all three coming off of Zack Bowers' home run over the left field fence. Trailing 8-2 in the third inning, WKU began its second rally by scoring four runs in the frame to cut the Georgia's advantage to 8-6.
Senior outfielder Regan Flaherty and junior first baseman Ryan Church both reached base to lead off the third inning while sophomore third baseman Thomas Peter loaded the bases with a one-out single. Sophomore outfielder Anderson Miller stepped to the dish and delivered a two-run single up the middle while Messex followed suit with his second RBI single to right field, which plated Peter. Junior shortstop Cody Wofford brought WKU within 8-6 with his two-out RBI single to left field.
Georgia took complete control in the bottom half of the third inning, scoring eight runs off of five hits and two Hilltopper errors to make the score 16-6. The Bulldogs exchanged runs with WKU in the fifth and sixth innings before rattling off nine more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Bowers hit a grand slam to start the big inning and three hits, a walk and a passed ball later resulted in the 26-7 final.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Sam Higgs (3-2) suffered his second loss on the season after surrendering five runs in the first inning. The Hilltoppers wound up using seven pitchers in the game, five of which were freshmen. Rookie left-handed pitcher Ryan Thurston was a bright spot in his career-long three innings of work, as he scattered two hits and struck out two in addition to allowing one run.
Wofford, Flaherty and Messex all recorded multiple-hit performances while Flaherty extended his streak of multiple-hit games to five straight. Messex and Miller finished with two RBI each.
The Hilltoppers look to rebound in their rematch with Georgia on Wednesday at Foley Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. (CT) and the game can be heard on ESPN 1450 AM or online at WKUSports.tv. For more information on WKU Baseball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUBaseball or visit WKUSports.com.
