Comments (0) | |

Saturday, May. 30, 2009

Georgia hammers Ohio State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A lengthy storm lingered around Dick Howser Stadium for most of Friday afternoon, but the real thunder belonged to Georgia’s bats as the Bulldogs cruised to a 24-8 victory against Ohio State.

A weather delay that lasted more than five hours couldn’t stop Georgia from opening the NCAA’s Tallahassee Regional with a season high in runs scored, 23 hits and seven home runs. The power outburst was a welcome sight for a Bulldogs team that had struggled at the plate in recent weeks.

“I think it was three weeks of pent-up frustration that came out,” Georgia head coach David Perno said. “We have had a tough time putting that kind of baseball together offensively, and we just figured some things out this week.”

The Bulldogs (38-22) lit up the scoreboard in the first inning, posting eight runs on six hits and a costly Ohio State error.

Peter Verdin opened the scoring on a bizarre play that set the tone for the remainder of the inning. Ohio State shortstop Tyler Engle’s throw was off the mark and allowed Verdin to make it all the way to third. Seeing that no one was covering home, Verdin alertly took off and scored with ease.

Matt Cerione and Joey Lewis then added home-run blasts off of Ohio State ace Alex Wimmers to give the Bulldogs an early 8-0 lead.

“You always want to get out to a good start,” Perno said. “We came in and answered with eight, and you couldn’t ask for a better start.”

Ohio State (40-18) put an answer of sorts together in the third when Ryan Dew doubled to right-center field, bringing home Cory Kovanda and Dan Burkhart to narrow the gap to six.

But Georgia returned the favor in the fourth as Rich Poythress and Lewis hammered solo shots.

Poythress’ home run pushed his RBI total to 78, a school season record. And Lewis’ second home run helped Georgia tie the school’s single-season record.

Following the delay, Georgia increased its lead to nine runs with a Michael Demperio two-out double to left.

If there was any chance of a Buckeyes comeback, it was put to rest when Poythress hit his second home run of the game — this one a two-run shot that established a team record with 103 home runs on the season.

And Poythress wasn’t done there.

In the eighth, Poythress launched a grand slam over the scoreboard in left. Cerione also hit a grand slam in the same frame. Georgia plated 10 runs in the eighth inning on seven hits.

Poythress finished 4-for-4 with three home runs and seven RBI.

“It was huge for us,” Poythress said of the win. “It’s a chance to start over and everybody in the country is 0-0. Hopefully we can keep the ball rolling with some continued success.”

Georgia is expected to throw Trevor Holder today against the winner of Florida State and Marist. That game is scheduled for 4 p.m.