Georgia Bulldogs Beat Defending National Champs to Open Women's College World Series

Megan Wiggins once again was the hero for the Georgia softball team, going two for four with four RBI to lead the Bulldogs to a 6-3 victory over Washington. The Huskies fell to 50-8 while the Classic City Canines improved to 49-11 with the win in Oklahoma City.

In her one inning of work in the circle, Sarah McCloud surrendered a walk, three hits, and three earned runs to the Huskies in the bottom of the first frame. After Erin Arevalo succeeded her, however, the defending national champions were kept off the board, as Arevalo and Alison Owen combined to pitch six scoreless stanzas in which they fanned nine.

Down 3-0 early, the Bulldogs began their comeback in the fourth inning with a solo shot off the bat of Kristyn Sandberg. Georgia tied the game in the fifth canto when Wiggins drove in a run with a bases-loaded single and Taylor Schlopy beat the throw home on a Brianna Hesson grounder.

The Red and Black took the lead in the sixth stanza. Laura Trout and Ashley Pauly got aboard with a couple of base hits, allowing Wiggins to make the score 6-3 with a home run to center field. Arevalo and Owen escaped unscathed from bases-loaded situations to earn the win and the save, respectively.

The Bulldogs advance through the winner’s bracket to meet Tennessee at 9:30 tonight. Georgia will be the home team for the season’s fifth meeting with the Volunteers. The Big Orange beat the Red and Black in the SEC tourney to even the season series at 2-2.

Go ‘Dawgs!