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Diamond Dogs drop opener vs Arkansas

In a pivotal final series with SEC tournament seeding implications in the balance, the 6th ranked Arkansas Razorbacks captured game one from the 13th ranked Georgia Bulldogs 8-6 Thursday night at Foley Field.

Both offenses wasted no time getting on the scoreboard capitalizing on defensive miscues in the first inning. The Razorbacks (37-15, 18-10) plated two unearned runs in the top of the first inning but the Bulldogs answered with an un-earned run of their own with two outs after a Michael Curry double scored Keegan McGovern from first who reached on an error.

The Bulldogs (35-17, 16-12) evened the score in the second inning when shortstop Cam Shepherd launched a towering homerun just inside the left field foul pole tying the game at 2-2.

Georgia starter Chase Adkins settled into a groove after the first inning miscues going five innings without surrendering an earned run, striking out four men.

First baseman Adam Sasser gave the Bulldogs the lead in the fourth inning atoning for a first inning error with a laser solo homerun to right field giving the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead. Later in the inning freshman centerfielder C.J. Smith singled home second baseman LJ Talley giving Georgia a two-run cushion.

The explosive Razorback offense found their footing in the seventh inning against the Bulldog bullpen striking for six runs. Designated hitter Luke Bonfield’s opposite field two-run homerun proved to be the big blow of the inning as the Razorbacks opened an 8-4 advantage.

Refusing to go quietly the Bulldogs loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh bringing the tying run to the plate but were only able to muster a single run on a Cam Shepherd RBI groundout. Again in the eighth the Bulldogs added a run on an Aaron Schunk RBI scoring C.J. Smith, trimming the deficit to two runs heading to the final frame.

Razorback closer Matt Cronin recorded the final eight outs on the mound for the visitors picking up his 10th save of the season, preserving an 8-6 Arkansas win.

Dawg Tracks

-Starting pitcher Chase Adkins (5-0) turned in five strong innings, striking out four men without allowing an earned run.

-Aaron Schunk (2-for-5) extended his hit streak to a team high 20 consecutive games.

-Michael Curry (2-for-4) recorded his team leading 21st multi-hit game.

-LHP Adam Goodman recorded two perfect innings of relief striking out two men.

Coach's Corner
Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin 
On dropping the opening game of the series:

“Well certainly giving up a six spot really cramps what you’re trying to do. We had a 4-2 lead feeling good about ourselves but you know what Adam Goodman came in and gave us two zeros and we were able to creep back in there and got the tying run to the plate. We fought back and that was encouraging. After the six run inning we didn’t fold, we didn’t go home, it’s disappointing we didn’t play our best game today. A lot of that has to do with Arkansas, Arkansas is a great club and you have to play one of your best games to beat a team like that and we didn’t do that.”

Player's Perspective
Sophomore first baseman Adam Sasser

On atoning for his first inning miscue with a go-ahead homerun…

“That was pretty big, I was trying not to beat myself up too much after the first inning. Me doing that really got some confidence back, but we just need one more win at least in this series to get the four seed and get the double bye, that would be huge for us.”

Next Up
The Bulldogs (35-17, 16-12) will continue their series with the Razorbacks tomorrow afternoon with first pitch of game two scheduled for 3pm.

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