ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia's bats came alive on Wednesday, blasting four home runs en route to an 11-5 win over Stetson at Foley Field.
With four more homers added to the stat column, the Bulldogs lead the NCAA with 35 so far this season.
Sophomore Kolby Branch (3-for-5, 5 RBI) hit a pair of home runs, including a grand slam, as part of a five-run outburst to put the contest out of reach. Junior Slate Alford (3-for-5, 4 RBI) smacked a home run and notched a three-run double, while sophomore Charlie Condon crushed his team-leading ninth home run of the season to start the scoring.
“It’s like a fast-break offense in basketball,” said Branch of the Bulldogs' lineup this season. One person gets on; it’s just constant. Somebody’s trying to get it done, and that’s just how this team is.”
Condon, who made his first career start in center field, made a diving catch on a sinking liner for a highlight and then added a 454-foot home run to put Georgia in front 2-0. He drew three walks, including two intentional. This season, Condon has started at third, first, and all three outfield positions while ranking among the nation’s top hitters in average, home runs, and slugging percentage.
“I was excited about the way we played,” said Georgia’s Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson. “You come out and Charlie obviously gets a good punch in. And they punch back. Their freshman hit two home runs tonight and got them off a couple of really good swings on pitches that weren’t bad. We come back and punch back. That’s just where we’re at. We know every game is going to be a fight.”
Georgia improved to 12-1 behind a stellar pitching outing as six hurlers combined for 17 strikeouts and no walks. Stetson managed three home runs, two by freshman Logan Hughes, to account for its scoring. The Hatters took a 4-3 lead in the fifth before Alford’s bases-clearing double put Georgia back in front 6-4. Branch’s slam extended the lead to 10-4 while Alford capped the scoring with his fifth home run of the year.
Sophomore Zach Harris (2-0) notched a win with two innings of relief, while Stetson reliever Chris Shine dropped to 0-1. Georgia graduate Christian Mracna started and struck out a career-high eight in three innings.
The Bulldogs begin a four-game set with Northern Colorado. The first pitch on Friday will now be at 3 p.m.
