Dawgs power past Vols in baseball

ATHENS - Georgia posted a 6-2 win over Tennesseee Friday to extend its winning streak to five and take the opener of a three-game SEC set.

The Bulldogs (11-7, 3-1 SEC) were led at the plate by shortstop Gordon Beckham (2-for-3, 2 HRs, 2BB, 3 RBI) who recorded his fourth multi-home-run game of the season. On the year, Beckham has amassed 13 homers and 30 RBI while maintaining a batting average of .519. Sophomore centerfielder Matt Cerione also chipped in with a solo home run in the sixth inning, his second of the season.

Tennessee left-fielder P.J. Polk went two-for-three and drove in Tennessee’s lone earned run of the evening. Catcher Yan Gomes also contributed two hits in four at-bats for the Tennessee offense.

After giving up an unearned run in the top of the first, Georgia starting-pitcher Trevor Holder (3-2, 2.38 ERA) did not allow another run through the next four innings, having to work out of two bases loaded situations. Holder allowed five hits, surrendered two walks, and recorded four strikeouts to get the win.

Tennessee starter Steve Crnkovich lost for the first time all year (4-1, 4.31 ERA), allowing six runs on seven hits in six innings. After having just five walks in 27.2 innings this season, the right-hander had six walks. The Volunteers (13-6, 3-1 SEC) tried to mount a comeback in the top of the ninth when they were able to load the bases, but Georgia closer Joshua Fields shut the door with his fourth save, recording the final two outs via the strikeout. Fields has not allowed a run this year and has collected 21 strikeouts in 8.1 innings. Justin Earls pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief of Holder before giving way to Fields in the ninth.

“Trevor (Holder) was good tonight, he got the tough outs and did a nice job with the top of their lineup,” said Georgia coach David Perno. “He pitched out of a couple of bases-loaded jams. Everybody is enjoying what Gordon (Beckham) is doing, and we know at some point, he’ll slow down but the whole team is excited watching him. Also, Justin (Earls) pitched well and Joshua (Fields) closed it again for us.”

The series continues at 3:07 pm on Saturday, and the game will be televised by CSS. Georgia will start junior Stephen Dodson (2-1, 5.66 ERA) while the Volunteers will counter with redshirt freshman Bryan Morgado (3-1, 1.29 ERA).