Diamond Dawg Weekly Recap: Georgia goes 5-0 over the week to improve to 8-1

The Georgia Diamond Dawgs are coming off quite the week of play as they have advanced to 8-1 after a come-from-behind win over the Kennesaw State Owls and a dominant series sweep over UIC. Let’s get into it.

The Dawgs began their week of play against the in-state Kennesaw State Owls. Georgia was down early in this one, at one point down 4-0 until the fourth inning. Georgia’s offense finally got the bats going and scored in the top of the fourth when Ryland Zaborowski advanced Ryan Black to third and scored Devin Obee on an RBI single into right field.

The Dawgs would tack on one more run in the inning with Ryan Black later scoring on a wild pitch to put the score at 4-2.

Both offenses would stay quiet over the next few innings until the top of the seventh when things really heated up and got chippy between the two teams. Slate Alford connected on an absolute moonshot into left field and made sure the Owls’ players knew about it as he watched it sail out of the ballpark, bringing the Dawgs within one run at 4-3.

Georgia would keep the bats going the very next inning in the eighth, with UT-Arlington transfer Ryan Black connecting and sending an absolute missile over the right field fence to tie things up at 4-4.

The Dawgs’ bullpen continued to remain strong throughout the game, not allowing a single run from innings 3-9, allowing Georgia’s bats to take the lead in the top of the ninth. The Dawgs’ lineup would do just that, as freshman Bryce Clavon doubled to begin the inning. Clavon would later advance to third before making his away across the plate on a wild pitch to give Georgia the 5-4 lead. Ryan Black would continue his big night in the inning, scoring Slate Alford on a single into right field to put the score at 6-4 going into the bottom of the ninth.

The Dawgs’ flame-throwing closer Brian Curley would come in and earn the save for the Dawgs in the top of the ninth. Curley struck out two in the inning as Georgia completed the comeback over the Owls by a final score of 6-4.

Following their comeback win, the Dawgs returned home for the first time this season to kick off a four-game series against UIC. The series was initially set to begin on Thursday but was moved to a Friday double-header due to weather. The Dawgs dominated all throughout this series as their bats never cooled off. Georgia would earn the 9-3 win in game one as Robbie Burnett and Slate Alford both had big days at the plate. Slate Alford went a perfect 4-for-4 on the day with two doubles and a triple.

While Burnett went 2-for-6 with an RBI single and a home run,

Georgia’s dominance continued in game two, as their bats exploded for a 15-1 game two win. Cade Brown, Henry Hunter, and Ryland Zaborowski all connected for home runs, while Kolby Branch, Tre Phelps, and Nolan McCarthy all had extra-base hits. Zaborowski led the charge offensively overall going 4-for-4 with two doubles and a homer along with six RBIs.

Starting pitcher, Leighton Finley was excellent on the mound. Striking out eight through five innings while allowing just two hits.

Georgia continued their series of dominance on Saturday, strolling to a 10-4 game three win. Robbie Burnett and Ryland Zaborowski both kept their hot bats going as both guys launched homers and combined for six total RBIs.

The Diamond Dawgs capped off their weekend of dominance yesterday, cruising to a 17-3 run-rule win, 10 of those 17 runs taking place in the sixth inning. Georgia completed the team cycle in the first inning as Daniel Jackson crushed a homer over the left-field fence.

Ryan Black, Robbie Burnett, Henry Hunter, and Tre Phelps also had home runs on the day. Cade Brown and Slate Alford also added extra-base hits of their own as the Dawgs advanced to 8-1 on the young season.

Georgia will now get a couple of days of rest before heading down the road to take on the Georgia State Panthers on Wednesday. Following that game, the Dawgs will return home to Foley Field to get ready for a four-game set against Florida Gulf Coast. That’s all for this edition of Diamond Dawg weekly recap. As always, Go Dawgs!!!