ATHENS, GA – In a game that saw wild momentum swings, the Georgia Bulldogs held off a furious Oklahoma comeback to win 10-9 in game two of their weekend series, setting up a decisive rubber match on Saturday. The Sooners, trailing 6-0 early and 9-2 after five innings, battled back to make it a one-run game but couldn’t complete the rally, falling just short in a nail-biting finish.
Oklahoma’s Cade Crossland took the mound for the Sooners but struggled early, surrendering seven earned runs over four innings, including a disastrous second inning that saw Georgia erupt for five runs. Despite the rough start, Crossland showed resilience, tossing scoreless frames in the third and fourth to keep the Sooners in the game. His final line read 4 IP, 3 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, and he was credited with the loss, dropping his record to 3-3.
Georgia wasted no time jumping ahead, as Slate Alford’s solo home run in the first inning set the tone. The Bulldogs piled on in the second, capitalizing on Crossland’s struggles. Kolby Branch’s RBI single, a hit-by-pitch to Nolan McCarthy, and Alford’s bases-clearing double ballooned the lead to 6-0. Georgia extended their advantage to 9-2 in the fifth on Tre Phelps’ three-run homer, seemingly putting the game out of reach.
But Oklahoma refused to go quietly. The Sooners chipped away in the fifth with a run-scoring double play by Drew Dickerson and a Dawson Willis double, trimming the deficit to 6-2. The sixth inning brought more life to the Oklahoma dugout, as Kyle Branch’s RBI single and another Willis double plated three runs, making it 9-5. A crucial double play in the bottom of the sixth, sparked by Willis at third base, kept Georgia off the board and preserved Oklahoma’s momentum.
The Sooners continued their surge in the seventh, with Jason Walk’s fielder’s choice and Kyle Branch’s RBI single bringing them within two runs at 9-7. Georgia answered with an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh on Cade Brown’s RBI double, but Oklahoma’s bats stayed hot. In the eighth, with the bases loaded and two outs, Walk’s single drove in two runs, cutting the lead to 10-9. However, the Sooners couldn’t muster any offense in the ninth, and Georgia sealed the victory.
Oklahoma’s offense was powered by standout performances from Jason Walk (2-for-4, 3 RBIs, 1 R), Kyle Branch (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 1 R), and Dawson Willis, who was nearly perfect at 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs, two doubles, and a run. Despite the loss, Willis’ heroics fueled the comeback bid, earning him star-of-the-game honors.
Up Next:
The stage is now set for a pivotal game three on Saturday at 11 a.m. CST. Georgia carries momentum and home-field advantage, but Oklahoma’s resilient showing in game two proves they’re capable of stealing the series. If the Sooners can avoid another early deficit, their potent offense—spearheaded by Willis, Walk, and Branch—gives them a strong chance to add a marquee road series win to their resume.
Oklahoma’s Cade Crossland took the mound for the Sooners but struggled early, surrendering seven earned runs over four innings, including a disastrous second inning that saw Georgia erupt for five runs. Despite the rough start, Crossland showed resilience, tossing scoreless frames in the third and fourth to keep the Sooners in the game. His final line read 4 IP, 3 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, and he was credited with the loss, dropping his record to 3-3.
Georgia wasted no time jumping ahead, as Slate Alford’s solo home run in the first inning set the tone. The Bulldogs piled on in the second, capitalizing on Crossland’s struggles. Kolby Branch’s RBI single, a hit-by-pitch to Nolan McCarthy, and Alford’s bases-clearing double ballooned the lead to 6-0. Georgia extended their advantage to 9-2 in the fifth on Tre Phelps’ three-run homer, seemingly putting the game out of reach.
But Oklahoma refused to go quietly. The Sooners chipped away in the fifth with a run-scoring double play by Drew Dickerson and a Dawson Willis double, trimming the deficit to 6-2. The sixth inning brought more life to the Oklahoma dugout, as Kyle Branch’s RBI single and another Willis double plated three runs, making it 9-5. A crucial double play in the bottom of the sixth, sparked by Willis at third base, kept Georgia off the board and preserved Oklahoma’s momentum.
The Sooners continued their surge in the seventh, with Jason Walk’s fielder’s choice and Kyle Branch’s RBI single bringing them within two runs at 9-7. Georgia answered with an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh on Cade Brown’s RBI double, but Oklahoma’s bats stayed hot. In the eighth, with the bases loaded and two outs, Walk’s single drove in two runs, cutting the lead to 10-9. However, the Sooners couldn’t muster any offense in the ninth, and Georgia sealed the victory.
Oklahoma’s offense was powered by standout performances from Jason Walk (2-for-4, 3 RBIs, 1 R), Kyle Branch (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, 1 R), and Dawson Willis, who was nearly perfect at 4-for-5 with 3 RBIs, two doubles, and a run. Despite the loss, Willis’ heroics fueled the comeback bid, earning him star-of-the-game honors.
Up Next:
The stage is now set for a pivotal game three on Saturday at 11 a.m. CST. Georgia carries momentum and home-field advantage, but Oklahoma’s resilient showing in game two proves they’re capable of stealing the series. If the Sooners can avoid another early deficit, their potent offense—spearheaded by Willis, Walk, and Branch—gives them a strong chance to add a marquee road series win to their resume.
