Junior Connor Jones pitched four innings with six strikeouts to lead the Black squad to a 4-1 win Tuesday in game one of the Fall World Series at Foley Field.
The Black squad took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Freshman LJ Talley led off with a single and advanced to third on a double by sophomore Josh Day. Freshman Adam Sasser notched an RBI on a groundout, scoring Talley as Day moved to third. Next, sophomore Trey Logan smacked a sharp grounder to senior second baseman Cody McCance, who fielded it and fired home to throw out Day.
The Red team looked to respond in the top of the third, getting back-to-back singles from redshirt freshman Aaron Rzucidlo and freshman Logan Moody. However, Jones eventually got out of the jam including a three-pitch strikeout to strand both runners in scoring position and maintain the 1-0 edge. In the third, the Black squad extended its lead to 3-0.
Senior Nick King tripled and scored on an RBI-single by junior Skyler Weber, and he later came around on an RBI-groundout by Day.
The Red team got on the scoreboard to start the fourth when freshman Michael Curry blasted a solo shot off Jones that made it 3-1. The Red team missed a scoring opportunity in the fifth, loading the bases with one out off junior Drew Moody. However, the right-hander got sophomore Keegan McGovern to hit a sharp grounder back to him, and they turned a double play to end the threat. In the fifth, King and Talley collected their second hit on the afternoon. Talley’s came with two outs and drove in King for a 4-1 advantage.
Jones allowed one run on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts for a win in the six-inning affair. Junior Andrew Gist took the loss, surrendering three runs on four hits in 2.2 innings. Freshman Kevin Smith registered three strikeouts in 1.1 innings of relief for the Red squad.
“I thought our pitching was really good,” Georgia coach Scott Stricklin said. “I was really encouraged by Connor Jones. He threw a lot of strikes, got a lot of strikeouts. He’s been like that all fall, it’s kind of business as usual for him. He’s gone out there, he’s been consistent, he’s had the same approach every single day. He’s gotten himself comfortable, and he’s really relaxed.”
The three-game series continues Saturday with first pitch slated for 1 p.m. Game three will be on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Black squad took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Freshman LJ Talley led off with a single and advanced to third on a double by sophomore Josh Day. Freshman Adam Sasser notched an RBI on a groundout, scoring Talley as Day moved to third. Next, sophomore Trey Logan smacked a sharp grounder to senior second baseman Cody McCance, who fielded it and fired home to throw out Day.
The Red team looked to respond in the top of the third, getting back-to-back singles from redshirt freshman Aaron Rzucidlo and freshman Logan Moody. However, Jones eventually got out of the jam including a three-pitch strikeout to strand both runners in scoring position and maintain the 1-0 edge. In the third, the Black squad extended its lead to 3-0.
Senior Nick King tripled and scored on an RBI-single by junior Skyler Weber, and he later came around on an RBI-groundout by Day.
The Red team got on the scoreboard to start the fourth when freshman Michael Curry blasted a solo shot off Jones that made it 3-1. The Red team missed a scoring opportunity in the fifth, loading the bases with one out off junior Drew Moody. However, the right-hander got sophomore Keegan McGovern to hit a sharp grounder back to him, and they turned a double play to end the threat. In the fifth, King and Talley collected their second hit on the afternoon. Talley’s came with two outs and drove in King for a 4-1 advantage.
Jones allowed one run on three hits with no walks and six strikeouts for a win in the six-inning affair. Junior Andrew Gist took the loss, surrendering three runs on four hits in 2.2 innings. Freshman Kevin Smith registered three strikeouts in 1.1 innings of relief for the Red squad.
“I thought our pitching was really good,” Georgia coach Scott Stricklin said. “I was really encouraged by Connor Jones. He threw a lot of strikes, got a lot of strikeouts. He’s been like that all fall, it’s kind of business as usual for him. He’s gone out there, he’s been consistent, he’s had the same approach every single day. He’s gotten himself comfortable, and he’s really relaxed.”
The three-game series continues Saturday with first pitch slated for 1 p.m. Game three will be on Sunday at 1 p.m.
