University of Georgia Athletics
Saturday, February 13
Athens, Ga.
3:45 p.m.
University of Georgia
2-1
5
vs
2
Virginia
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4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Virginia
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
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4
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Georgia
0
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1
4
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X
5
7
1
No. 14 Bulldogs Rally to Top Virginia, 5-2
February 13, 2021 | Softball
ATHENS, Ga. – Powered by a four-run fifth inning rally, the University of Georgia softball team bested Virginia, 5-2, Saturday afternoon at Jack Turner Stadium.
Graduate right-hander Mary Wilson Avant (2-0) earned her second victory of the season with a complete game four-hitter, striking out 11 and issuing no walks in the effort.
Freshman left fielder Sydney Chambley led the Georgia offense with a 3-for-3 performance, racking up two triples and a double to give her four extra base hits in her young Bulldogs career. Sophomore third baseman Sara Mosley also contributed with a 2-for-3 night, including an RBI single in the fifth.
Virginia (0-1) struck first in the opening frame as junior catcher Donna Friedman homered to left, giving the Cavaliers an early 1-0 lead. Georgia (2-1) found itself in prime position to counter with four runners in scoring position in the first three innings, but continuously came up empty. Meanwhile, Avant settled in the circle, rebounding from the home run to retire seven consecutive Cavaliers.
The Bulldogs eventually broke through in the bottom of the fourth as Mosley roped a double to center, followed by Chambley's second triple of the day that brought in freshman pinch-runner Hayley Eaton to knot the game at one.
In the next inning, Georgia broke the game open with four runs, taking advantage of Virginia miscues to build its advantage. After an error and wild pitch, Mosley singled to score sophomore second baseman Sydney Kuma, followed by a two-RBI double from Chambley through the left side. Mosley came in to score on the following at-bat as freshman right fielder Jayda Kearney reached on an error.
Virginia threatened one final time in the top of the sixth, starting with a leadoff double that led to freshman pinch-runner Leah Boggs scoring on an Avant wild pitch. Following a single and Georgia fielding error, the Cavaliers had bases loaded with only one out, but Avant was able to work out of the jam and maintain the three-run margin. She would eventually retire the final five Virginia batters to seal the Georgia win.
Georgia closes the 14th Annual Red & Black Showcase Sunday afternoon with another matchup against Virginia. The game is slated for a 1:15 p.m. first pitch and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
Georgia Head Coach Lu Harris-Champer
On how the game delay affected the team's performance today...
"We did come out a little bit slow. We've definitely got to work on letting the ball travel a little bit deeper, but I was proud of the way they responded. The team responded well once we got the lineup a couple of times and started to feel the pitcher a little bit better and were able to put some runs across the plate."
On Mary Wilson Avant bouncing back after giving up an early homerun...
"She really did. She had 11 strikeouts, no walks, and really good composure throughout the entire game. I was really proud of her leadership. There was an inning where we made an error to start the inning off with someone getting on after that, and she ended up striking out the next three batters. Then, she had one really good shutdown inning after we scored. I'm just really proud of the way she led our team. I thought she pitched with a lot of composure and a lot of grit. I also thought that Sara Mosley had a really good day at the plate, and Sydney Chambley was, once again, amazing."
Freshman Sydney Chambley
On being a freshman playing with a solid group of seniors...
"It feels pretty great, but I have to say, if it wasn't for the leadership we have with the upper classman, it would mean nothing to me because they are our biggest fans as freshmen. They've done a beautiful job of making us feel just as good as them."
On her early season success...
"All I focus on is working my process and my approach and just leaving it up to the Lord, and whatever he uses for it, that's what we go for."
Graduate Mary Wilson Avant
On pitching into later innings after giving up an early homerun
"I think it's just continue to do what I do every day in practice. I practice hard, so the games don't feel like a big moment, or bigger than it actually is. So, I think just continuing to stay in the moment."
On whether the delay affected her performance today...
"No, I think we were just prepared to get out on the field. That first home run is on me, but I think I was able to bounce back."
Graduate right-hander Mary Wilson Avant (2-0) earned her second victory of the season with a complete game four-hitter, striking out 11 and issuing no walks in the effort.
Freshman left fielder Sydney Chambley led the Georgia offense with a 3-for-3 performance, racking up two triples and a double to give her four extra base hits in her young Bulldogs career. Sophomore third baseman Sara Mosley also contributed with a 2-for-3 night, including an RBI single in the fifth.
Virginia (0-1) struck first in the opening frame as junior catcher Donna Friedman homered to left, giving the Cavaliers an early 1-0 lead. Georgia (2-1) found itself in prime position to counter with four runners in scoring position in the first three innings, but continuously came up empty. Meanwhile, Avant settled in the circle, rebounding from the home run to retire seven consecutive Cavaliers.
The Bulldogs eventually broke through in the bottom of the fourth as Mosley roped a double to center, followed by Chambley's second triple of the day that brought in freshman pinch-runner Hayley Eaton to knot the game at one.
In the next inning, Georgia broke the game open with four runs, taking advantage of Virginia miscues to build its advantage. After an error and wild pitch, Mosley singled to score sophomore second baseman Sydney Kuma, followed by a two-RBI double from Chambley through the left side. Mosley came in to score on the following at-bat as freshman right fielder Jayda Kearney reached on an error.
Virginia threatened one final time in the top of the sixth, starting with a leadoff double that led to freshman pinch-runner Leah Boggs scoring on an Avant wild pitch. Following a single and Georgia fielding error, the Cavaliers had bases loaded with only one out, but Avant was able to work out of the jam and maintain the three-run margin. She would eventually retire the final five Virginia batters to seal the Georgia win.
Georgia closes the 14th Annual Red & Black Showcase Sunday afternoon with another matchup against Virginia. The game is slated for a 1:15 p.m. first pitch and will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
Georgia Head Coach Lu Harris-Champer
On how the game delay affected the team's performance today...
"We did come out a little bit slow. We've definitely got to work on letting the ball travel a little bit deeper, but I was proud of the way they responded. The team responded well once we got the lineup a couple of times and started to feel the pitcher a little bit better and were able to put some runs across the plate."
On Mary Wilson Avant bouncing back after giving up an early homerun...
"She really did. She had 11 strikeouts, no walks, and really good composure throughout the entire game. I was really proud of her leadership. There was an inning where we made an error to start the inning off with someone getting on after that, and she ended up striking out the next three batters. Then, she had one really good shutdown inning after we scored. I'm just really proud of the way she led our team. I thought she pitched with a lot of composure and a lot of grit. I also thought that Sara Mosley had a really good day at the plate, and Sydney Chambley was, once again, amazing."
Freshman Sydney Chambley
On being a freshman playing with a solid group of seniors...
"It feels pretty great, but I have to say, if it wasn't for the leadership we have with the upper classman, it would mean nothing to me because they are our biggest fans as freshmen. They've done a beautiful job of making us feel just as good as them."
On her early season success...
"All I focus on is working my process and my approach and just leaving it up to the Lord, and whatever he uses for it, that's what we go for."
Graduate Mary Wilson Avant
On pitching into later innings after giving up an early homerun
"I think it's just continue to do what I do every day in practice. I practice hard, so the games don't feel like a big moment, or bigger than it actually is. So, I think just continuing to stay in the moment."
On whether the delay affected her performance today...
"No, I think we were just prepared to get out on the field. That first home run is on me, but I think I was able to bounce back."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Avant, Mary Wilson (2-0)
L: Madison Harris (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Kate Covington 1
HR: Donna Friedman 1
RBI: Donna Friedman 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Donna Friedman 1 ; Leah Boggs 1
HBP: Katie Goldberg 1
Batting:
2B: Mosley, Sara 1 ; Chambley, Sydney 1
3B: Chambley, Sydney 2
RBI: Mosley, Sara 1 ; Chambley, Sydney 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Kuma, Sydney 1 ; Armistead, Tyler 1 ; Fincher, Lacey 1 ; Mosley, Sara 1 ; Eaton, Hayley 1
SB: Kearney, Jayda 2
HBP: Kearney, Jayda 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
3
RBI
3
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ SoftballOF/1B
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballINF
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