(Tony Walsh/Georgia Photography)
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ATHENS, GA. – In what was a pitcher’s duel for much of the game, the 23rd ranked Georgia Bulldogs walked away with a 6-1 win over the 14th ranked Florida Gators. After winning the first game of the series on Thursday, Friday’s victory secures the series win for Georgia. The win was their third in a row.
The star of the game for the Bulldogs was starting pitcher Jonathan Cannon. Cannon tossed six shutout innings, allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out three. He also hit a batter en route to securing his sixth win of the year.
Cannon’s ERA on the year now sits at 1.71 as he continues to work as Georgia’s frontline starter. With the strong start to the season, Cannon continues to boost his potential 2022 MLB Draft stock.
The opening runs for the Bulldogs came in their three-run sixth inning. Their first run came on a sacrifice bunt by Chaney Rogers in which the runner on third managed to beat out the tag at home.
Their next two runs came off the bat of Parks Harber. Harber delivered a two-run double to deep left field, driving in his 20th and 21st RBI of the season to push Georgia’s run total to three.
Solid Defense and Good Pitching Throughout
The tough-luck loser of the night was Florida right-hander Brandon Sproat. Sproat, Florida’s #2 starter, looked good in his six innings, walking away with what would be considered a quality start.
Sproat worked six innings of three-run ball, allowing eight hits and one walk while striking out eight. The strikeouts were a nice surprise for Sproat and they helped work him out of jams. He now has 37 strikeouts in 32.2 innings of action this year.
Georgia’s defense on the night was impeccable and a big part of their win. Third basemen Josh McAllister made two run-saving plays. The first one came in the sixth when he got the force out at home on a grounder his way.
His second run-saving play came the inning after, in the seventh. After a sac fly to left field, McAllister fielded the cutoff and rifled it home to get the Florida runner trying to tag up.
Georgia’s reliever Jack Gowen followed up a strong performance from Cannon with one of his own. He turned in three innings of one-run ball to hold the Bulldogs’ five-run lead and pick up the save.
Florida’s lone run of the game came on a solo shot in the top of the eighth by Wyatt Langford. It was Langford’s 10th of the season.
Although Florida only had one run, they did manage to run up Collins’ pitch count and knock him out of the game earlier than he usually lasts.
For Georgia, they padded their lead with a three-run eighth inning. A fielder’s choice with bases loaded would allow a run to score for the Bulldogs as the Gators opted to get the runner at second.
Fernando Gonzalez got involved in the action with an RBI double of his own on a bomb to right field. Georgia’s sixth and final run of the game came on a sac fly to push their lead to five.
Wrapping Up the Series
The third and final game of the series for the Florida Gators (18-9) and the Georgia Bulldogs (21-6) happens on Saturday, April 2nd at 2:00 p.m. EST.
The Gators will look to get back on track to their winning ways after two straight losses, both at the hands of the Bulldogs.
The Bulldog, on the other hand, will go for the sweep of the Gators as they look to add to their three-game win streak.
