Friday, March 16
Athens, Ga.
6 PM

University of Georgia

5
vs
4

Florida

Photo by: Steffenie Burns

#10 Bulldogs Walk Off Against #2 Florida; Extend Win Streak to 24

March 16, 2018 | Softball


Highlights


Interviews


ATHENS, Ga.
– Georgia shortstop Alyssa DiCarlo sent a two-run home run over the wall in right-center field to walk off against the #2 Florida Gators Friday evening at Jack Turner Stadium, 5-4.
 
10th-ranked Georgia keeps its winning streak alive at 24 games, improving to 25-1 on the season and 4-0 in Southeastern Conference play. It's the first time since 2014 Georgia has opened SEC play 4-0. This is the first regular season victory Georgia has had over the Gators since Apr. 26, 2013.
 
The Bulldog offense outhit Florida, 9-6 including hitting four home runs in the contest; DiCarlo hit two herself. Kendall Burton finished the game 3-for-3 while Alysen Febrey also contributed a pair of hits.
 
Kylie Bass pitched three innings in her start in the circle. She allowed three runs but struck out four hitters, leaving with the game tied, 3-3.
 
Brittany Gray entered and pitched the final four innings. Despite surrendering her first eanred run of the season, Gray fanned four and walked away the winner, improving to 12-0.
 
For only the third time this season, Georgia surrendered a first-inning run. Amanda Lorenz drew a two-out walk off Bass then scored on a Kayli Kvistad double to the wall in center. Florida led 1-0 after the first half inning.
 
Georgia took the lead in the bottom of the inning in a big way. After DiCarlo had appeared to be the third out on a popup to short, she was called back to the plate on a Kelly Barnhill illegal pitch. DiCarlo then homered to dead centerfield, tying the game. The Bulldogs helped write a little history as Alysen Febrey and Mahlena O'Neal followed with back-to-back home runs of their own to put Georgia ahead 3-0.
 
Florida starter Kelly Barnhill worked two innings, allowing three runs to the Bulldogs, the most the right-hander has surrendered to an opponent all season. Entering the game, she had also allowed one home run; Georgia hit three off the junior righty.  
 
Georgia's three-consecutive home runs was the first time since Mar. 17, 2013, just one day short of the five-year anniversary.
 
The Gators wasted no time responded as Aleshia Ocasio, the eventual losing pitcher, hit a two-run home run in the top of the second to knot the game up at three runs apiece.
 
Florida recaptured the lead in the top of the sixth. A leadoff walk and a single followed by a sacrifice bunt put Gators in scoring position. Ocasio hit into an RBI fielder's choice to plate the go-ahead run. Gray used a strikeout and a foul out to end the frame.
 
Justice Milz singled to third base with one out in the seventh. DiCarlo then stepped in and blasted her second home run of the game to right center, walking off against the Gators, 5-4.
 
The Bulldogs and Gators face off in game two of the series Saturday at 2 p.m. from Jack Turner Stadium.
 
Head Coach Lu Harris-Champer
"What a fun game! I cannot say enough about this team. I'm just really proud of them and how they always come out and play with their whole heart. I think the synergy of our team is just really on. They play for each other and with each other. They really leave everything they have out on the field every single time they play."
 
Senior Pitcher Brittany Gray
"This win feels great. We're going out there and playing the way we have all season. It doesn't matter whose name is written on their chests we're just trying to go out and play Georgia softball."
 
"I feel like tonight I finally calmed down and really played my game."
 
Junior Shortstop Alyssa DiCarlo
"Tonight felt amazing. Brittany and Kylie had an amazing game and I just wanted to come out and do all I could for the team. Before I hit the home run I was honestly just trying to hit a line drive. I hit a popup off her earlier and was just waiting for the right ball to hit."