5/25/19

2019 SEC Tournament: UGA falls Short in  Semifinal Game to Ole Miss 

 

 

By. Andrew Rodberg (twitter.com/404thebeat)

HOOVER, Alabama — Dawgs SEC Tournament run ends in heartbreak fashion. 

In the third game of the 2019 SEC Tournament for the Dawgs, they sent out ace Emerson Hancock to face Ole Miss’ Houston Roth. Roth came into the afternoon with a 4.02 ERA while allowing opposing hitters a. 298 batting average. With Ole Miss (the defending 2018 SEC Tournament Champions) and UGA (hunting for their first SEC Championship game appearance since 1989), neither offense could get anything going. That quickly changed, as patience of the UGA batters played a role. 

In the 2nd inning, Cam Shepherd drew a walk and Mason Meadows made Roth pay. With a hanging breaking ball, Meadows sent a rocket to left field for a 2-run home run to put the Dawgs up 2-0.

Video Below:

twitter.com/…k/status/1132343437368410113

The Rebels were able to get to Hancock in the bottom of the 3rd and 4th innings. After 5 singles, Ole Miss was able to jump out to a 3-2 lead. Hancock gave up three runs and had to leave due to a cut on his right thumb (throwing hand). Tony Locey then took over and struck out the next batter to end the inning. Hancock ended his outing with (3.2 IP, 6H, 3R, 3K’s).

The Rebels didn’t hold onto the lead for long as the Dawgs answered back in the top of the 5th. A Chaney Rodgers walk and an Aaron Schunk single, gave the Dawgs the tie at 3-3 through the top of the 5th.

Roth worked 4.2 innings and kept the game close. Ole Miss then turned to Max Cioffi to work the sixth inning. Roth finished his outing with (4.2 IP, 4H, 3R, 3BB, 4K’s). 

Tony Locey got the nod and instantly fell into trouble after giving up a single followed by a home run to give the Rebels a 5-3 lead. From that moment on, the Dawgs played from behind and couldn’t make up the two runs… 

After giving up the lead in the fifth, Locey was able to shut down the Ole Miss bats but it was a little to late as the damage had already been done. Locey worked the 5th and 6th innings and ended his outing with (2.2 IP, 4H, 2R, 1BB, 4K’s) 

With Ole Miss holding on to a 2-run lead, they put their trust in their bullpen who led them to victory. The Rebels used 4 relief pitchers who only gave up a combined 2 hits in 3.1 IP. With this loss, the Dawgs are officially eliminated from the Tournament but can take some positives going into Regionals next weekend! 

Key Positives: 

The Dawgs were able to finally get that victory in Hoover Alabama that they hadn’t be able to get in 8 years. 

Mason Meadows is beginning to look a lot like pre-injury Meadows. 

The Dawgs showed that they have the pitching to make a run at Omaha. 

The Dawgs now look ahead to Selection Monday where they will see if they are Regionally ranked and will host a Region! 

Continue to Support our Dawgs as their season is not over yet but just beginning on their road to Omaha! 

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