University of Georgia
Central Connecticut
Georgia Takes 6-1 Win Over Central Connecticut State
May 15, 2015 | Softball
Highlights from Georgia softball's 6-1 victory over Central Connecticut State in the NCAA Regional in Athens.
May 15, 2015
ATHENS, Ga. -- The Georgia softball team defeated Central Connecticut State 6-1 in the NCAA Athens Regional on Friday, May 15 at Jack Turner Stadium in Athens, Ga. With the win the Bulldogs improved to 41-14 on the year, while Central Connecticut State falls to 31-13. A pair of home runs by Alex Hugo and Maeve McGuire highlighted the game.
Chelsea Wilkinson (26-8) was brilliant from the circle. She allowed just one run and scattered five hits in the complete-game performance. She tied her season high with 12 strikeouts. Laura Messina (27-9) suffered the loss for CCSU. She allowed six runs on 13 hits and a walk. She struck out two batters.
Central Connecticut State took 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on a solo home run by Katie Schmidt.
Georgia turned to small ball to answer back with a run in the bottom of the third. Niaja Griffin, Cortni Emanuel and Sydni Emanuel loaded the bases with a trio of bunt singles. Hugo drove in the tying run with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Griffin and making it a 1-1 game.
The Bulldogs erupted for five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hugo led off the inning with a solo home run to left to put Georgia up 2-1. With one away, Anna Swafford delivered a single to right and then stole second. Paige Wilson followed with a RBI-single up the middle that scored Swaffford and gave Georgia a 3-1 lead. The scoring continued when Kaylee Puailoa singled to right that scored Wilson and increased the lead to 4-1. With two away, Maeve McGuire homered to center, giving Georgia a 5-1 lead. With two on after a Niaja Griffin double and a single by C. Emanuel, S. Emanuel hit a bunt single down the first base line, scoring Griffin and putting the Bulldogs up 6-1.
Wilkinson continued her masterful performance in the top of the seventh, striking out the first two batters she faced. After giving up a walk, she retired the side with a groundout, sealing the 6-1 Georgia win.
Georgia will face Western Kentucky tomorrow, May 16, at noon in the winner's bracket of the 2015 NCAA Athens Regional. North Carolina and Central Connecticut State will play at 2:30 p.m., in the elimination bracket.
