March 10, 2013

Anthony Dasher
Managing Editor

After not mounting any semblance of an offense the first two games of this weekend's series against Georgia visiting Liberty made up for it Sunday afternoon, battering eight Bulldog pitchers before holding onto an 11-8 win.

Georgia did make it interesting.

After falling behind 10-0, the Bulldogs (7-8) rallied for six runs in the eighth and had the tying run at the plate in the ninth when Hunter Cole struck out with runners at first and second to end the game.

"It's hard to come back from that many runs, especially the last two innings," Cole said. "We had the guys on base, but down that many you've got to chip away earlier than what we did."

Cole did his part in the inning before.

Down 10-0, Cole keyed a six-run eighth with a bases-clearing triple and scored one batter later on a single by Daniel Nichols to bring Georgia within 10-6 heading to the ninth.

But scoring runs wasn't a problem for Liberty (10-5) on this afternoon.

Eight different pitchers worked Sunday's contest for the Bulldogs and all eight gave up runs, including one by reliever Jess Posey in the ninth.

"We just couldn't stop them, all day, no matter who we tried," Bulldog skipper David Perno said. "A lots on me today from the standpoint of trying too many guys, giving guys opportunities. We need to simplify it and we've definitely seen enough these 15 games to know who needs to be getting out there on a consistent basis."

Offense wasn't a problem for the Bulldogs.

The first four batters in Georgia's order - Nelson Ward, Curt Powell, Kyle Farmer and Cole - went a combined 10-for-15 and drove in six runs (three each by Cole and Farmer).

Luke Crumley (1-2) took the loss for Georgia after giving up two runs on six hits in two innings.

NOTES: Starting left fielder Cody Sheedy had to leave the game after appearing to injure his hand while making a running catch to end the second. Hunter Cole moved over from center to left with DJ Smith taking over in center. Sheedy was forced to get eight stiches after colliding with the chain-link fence along the left-field foul line? Georgia returns to action Tuesday when the Bulldogs hosts Appalachian State for the first of two games.