Although runs continued to be an issue for Georgia Saturday against UAB, the Bulldogs’ young starting pitchers are quietly starting to settle into a groove.

Freshman Tony Locey continues to be part of the equation.

For the second straight week, the former Houston County standout dazzled, tossing six innings of shutout ball to help pitch the Bulldogs to a 2-0 win.

“I really worked on not closing myself off in the bullpen, just allowing myself to get out front on my off-speed pitches and try to throw more for strikes,” said Locey, who improved to 2-1. “It’s a lot tougher on hitters when they’re up there guessing what’s coming.”

Apparently so.

After blanking Georgia Southern last week for five innings on three hits, Locey did himself one better against UAB, throwing six innings of four-hit ball with six strikeouts, equaling his total last week against the Eagles.

The hard-throwing right hander mixed his pitches well.

Not only did the freshman come armed with a fastball that topped out at 96 mph, but Locey kept the Blazers (6-4) off balance with his changeup and a sharp-breaking slider before the first two runners reached in the seventh bringing on senior lefty Andrew Gist.

Gist would get out of the inning with no runs scoring and then some, tossing three perfect innings to record his first career save.

“I’m here to do anything I can to help,” said Gist, who lowered his ERA to 1.37 in 13.1 innings. “Starting, relieving, closing … it doesn’t matter to me. I just do what I can.”

As for Locey, he has now thrown 11 straight scoreless innings after being touched for seven earned runs in three innings against College of Charleston in his first career start.

“I knew that’s not the Tony Locey I am,” Locey said. “Coming out with seven runs is more like a ‘welcome to college baseball.’”

Since dropping a 6-5 decision at Mercer, Georgia pitchers have only allowed nine earned runs over its last six games, which equals out to a 1.50 ERA over that time.

“Our starting pitching has been much better lately and pitching and defense is what’s going to win for you most of the time,” Georgia skipper Scott Stricklin said. “Offensively, we’re not very good. We had plenty of chances. We drew more walks today (5), got on base and had opportunities (11 left on base) to score some runs and put that game away. We just can’t come up with the big hit right now. But if we’re pitching like that and playing defense like we’re playing, we’re going to have a chance and be in a lot of games.”

As indicated by Stricklin, the Bulldogs (4-6) didn’t manage much themselves against UAB starter Ryan Ruggles (1-2), but Tucker Maxwell – who went 2-for-4 - found a pitch to his liking in the third when he launched a leadoff homer deep over the fence in right for a 1-0 lead.

A sacrifice fly by Will Proctor pushed the lead to 2-0 and accounted for the final score.

Along with Maxwell, Aaron Schunk and Tucker Bradley each collected two hits for Georgia, which ground out eight against Ruggles and Austin Thomas.

NOTES: Will Campbell missed his second straight game with pain in his lower back. He is still listed as day-to-day. … Georgia and UAB wrap up their series on Sunday at 1 p.m. Chase Adkins (1-0, 4.09) will start for the Bulldogs.