No. 14 Georgia softball run-ruled James Madison 10-0 on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Orlando, Florida. The win moved the Bulldogs to a 4-0 start on the year.
The Georgia offense got to work early yet again, as senior outfielder Dallis Goodnight drew a four-pitch walk to get on base for the fourth consecutive time as the lead hitter. After Goodnight set the tone, utility players Sarah Gordon and Mua Williams, along with catchers Lyndi Rae Davis and Marisa Miller, each drove in a run in the first inning. Georgia’s hot streak continued into the second inning as Gordon, Davis and Miller each notched RBIs. The catching duo of Davis and Miller both finished the game two-for-two with three RBIs.
On the defensive end, Williams flashed the leather on multiple plays at third base. In the top of the first, a runner tried to advance from first to third on a bunt, but a swift, precise tag from Williams retired the side instead. Williams kept rolling by catching a runner stealing in the second and securing a tough catch on a foul pop fly in the third. The exceptional glovework from Williams was a big improvement from the poor defense that fed a last-minute comeback effort by Illinois in Georgia’s previous game.
Right-handed pitcher Rachel Gibson commanded the circle for the Bulldogs, grabbing a win in her first appearance of the season. Gibson tossed four scoreless innings with four strikeouts and no walks until Destin Howard came in to close in the fifth. Georgia will look to lean on Gibson as a strong starter to complement a one-two punch of lefties in Lilli Backes and Randi Roelling — who have each made two dominant appearances thus far.
Leading 9-0 after just the second inning, Georgia was able to give valuable playing time to some freshmen and other bench players. In her collegiate debut, freshman Tyah Charlton went two-for-three with a run, using her electric speed to score from first on a single. Additionally, sophomores Emma Castorri and Hannah Davila each came off the bench to record a hit while Davila also chalked up an RBI, demonstrating the depth Georgia has on its roster.
The Bulldogs will be back in action against CSU Bakersfield on Sunday, Feb. 9. With first pitch at 9 a.m., the Bulldogs will look to remain undefeated on the final day of the Black and Gold Classic in Orlando, Florida.
Leave a Reply