Tuesday, May 15, 2012

ATHENS, Ga. (May 15, 2012) – Clinging to a one-run lead through five innings, Georgia (30-22) pushed across three runs in the sixth to down ETSU, 7-4, in the final non-conference game for both teams at Foley Field on Tuesday night.

The Bulldogs pounded out 13 hits led by a three hit effort from catcher Brett DeLoach. DeLoach also scored a run and recorded a RBI on the night. Kyle Farmer was 2-for-4 with three RBI, while Peter Verdin was 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.

ETSU (22-30) was paced by seniors Matthew Scruggs (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Cory Betterson (Atlanta, Ga.). Scruggs finished 3-for-4 with his 19^th home run of the season, while Betterson was 2-for-4 with his first career home run and a pair of RBI. Meanwhile, another Georgia native, Zach Waters (Woodstock, Ga.) went 1-for-3 with a RBI double.

Georgia starting pitcher Luke Crumley (3-2) earned the victory after giving up two hits and a run in two innings of work. ETSU starter Kerry Doane (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) (4-5) scattered nine hits and four runs over five innings with five strikeouts, but was charged with the loss. Pete Nagel pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the season.

The Bucs jumped out in front in the second inning thanks to a RBI single by Betterson. ETSU got off to a good start in the frame as Scruggs led off with a single and Dylan Pratt (Johnson City, Tenn.) reached on a walk. After Alex Reynolds (Johnson City, Tenn.) popped into a double play on a sacrifice bunt attempt, Riopedre walked to put runners on first and second with two-outs. Then, Betterson drilled a RBI single through the left side to score Pratt – giving the Bucs a 1-0 lead.

Georgia answered in the bottom half of the second with two runs on three hits. The Bulldogs got back-to-back doubles to start the inning by DeLoach and Jared Walsh. The next batter, Peter Verdin laced a RBI single to left field to put the Bulldogs in front 2-1.

The Bulldogs extended their lead with two more runs in the third inning. With one-out in the frame, Georgia got three straight hits, capped off by a RBI single by DeLoach. Later in the inning, Verdin recorded his second RBI single of the game to give UGA a 4-1 lead.

ETSU drew a run closer after Scruggs led off the fourth inning with his nation leading 19^th home run of the year – making the score 4-2.

The Bucs added another run in the fifth when Betterson led off the inning with his first career home run to pull ETSU within one at 4-3.

Georgia pulled away in the sixth inning after plating three runs on a bases clearing triple by Kyle Farmer to put the Bulldogs in front 7-3.

The Bucs pushed across the final run in the seventh on a RBI double by Waters. Chris Riopedre (Miami, Fla.) led off the inning by reaching on a Georgia error. With one-out in the inning, Waters drilled a double down the left field line to plate Riopedre.

ETSU closes out the 2012 season with a three-game set at Kennesaw State beginning on Thursday evening.

For more information on ETSU baseball, please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the baseball link.