3/23/19 3:35pm
Georgia Baseball Ties Series with LSU Behind Pitcher C.J Smith
Cover Photo: BaseballUGA/Twitter
By. Andrew Rodberg
In the second game of a three game series with LSU, the Dawgs turned to C.J Smith to take on LSU’s Cole Henry. In what looked to be a lot like last night, where both pitchers kept the scoreboard clean, today was no different.
C. J Smith, who previously held a 2+ ERA in his first five appearances of 2019, looked to get back on track after giving up five runs against South Carolina last week and boy did he impress.
As the game got underway on Saturday afternoon, C.J Smith looked to put the Dawgs in a position to tie the game and force a Sunday winner takes series game. In doing so, Smith worked six-scoreless innings on his way to yet another masterful performance. Smith was able to keep the Dawgs in the mix while only giving up one walk and seven strikeouts to lower his ERA to 2.05.
With LSU’s freshman pitcher, Cole Henry taking on the #5 Bulldogs, he started his afternoon with a pretty decent first inning where he struck-out two of his first four batters. Henry was then able to silence the Bulldogs bats on his way to 7.1 innings of work where he struck out a career high eight batters. Henry ultimately fell into some trouble in the bottom of the eighth and was pulled with runners on first and second. LSU then called upon their closer Todd Peterson who gave up two singles (one none bigger than pinch-hitter, Austin Biggar, who opened up the scoring) that allowed the Bulldogs to build a two run lead. Henry ended his outing, being tagged with two earned runs and a loss.
As for the Bulldogs, they looked to their bullpen in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to tie the series up at one a piece. Cole Wilcox, Justin Glover and Aaron Schunk all made appearances and gave up a combined one hit on their way to victory. The Dawgs finished the game with a 2-0 win and now turn to starting pitcher Tony Locey to help them close out a series win tomorrow.
Game #3 is set to start at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Game will be televised on the SEC Network.
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