Georgia Baseball Defeats Memphis 8-2

ATHENS - Georgia’s Stephen Dodson tossed six shutout innings while Gordon Beckham and Rich Poythress hit back-to-back home runs as the Bulldogs defeated Memphis 8-2 Saturday at Foley Field.

The Bulldogs improved to 5-4 and Dodson moved his record to 2-1 as he scattered five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four. Tiger starter Marc Ashley dropped to 1-2, allowing eight runs (only three earned) on eight hits in four innings.

Georgia jumped on the Tigers (4-8), building a 6-0 lead through the first three frames. Beckham and Poythress combined to go 7-for-10 with four RBI on the day. Beckham (4-for-5) posted his first career four-hit game, and he leads the team with a .524 average while Poythress is at .500. Beckham has 23 career three-hit games. In the first, Poythress (3-for-5, 3 RBI) lined a two-run single to put the Bulldogs on the board. Senior Ryan Peisel made it 3-0 with a two-out RBI-single. In the third, Georgia scored three runs on four hits and one Tiger miscue to make it 6-0.

In the fourth, Beckham and Poythress connected for back-to-back home runs, the second time they have done that this week. The duo did it against Jacksonville State this past Wednesday. For Beckham, it was his team-leading sixth home run while Poythress is next with four.

The Tigers avoided a shutout in the eighth, scoring two runs on two hits and a Bulldog error. Second baseman Adam McClain lined a two-run single off sophomore Justin Earls to cut the deficit to 8-2. Bulldog senior Joshau Fields pitched the ninth and struck out two.

“Stephen (Dodson) followed up Trevor’s good outing with one too, and I was pleased about that,” said Georgia coach David Perno. “Also, I liked how we came out and scored early again. I was concerned how we would approach today after how we have swung the bats the first two games this week, but they did a nice job. We’re getting some good production throughout the lineup. I was happy to see Gordon (Beckham) get that fourth hit.”

The series concludes Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.