Georgia hits two home runs to walk off in 14th inning of historic game
In what was already a historic day in the SEC Tournament, 7-seed Georgia best 10-seed Auburn 6-5 in 14 innings on Wednesday night, seeing catcher Sarah Gordon walk the Bulldogs off in dramatic fashion.
Gordon’s walk-off bomb came after Jayda Kearney launched a three-run bomb earlier in the 14th to tie the game at 5 after Auburn seemingly stepped into the driver’s seat in the top of the inning.
And here’s the one that won it for the Bulldogs, watch as Gordon rounds the bases and celebrates with her teammates to complete the well-earned victory:
The game officially clocks in as the longest game in SEC Softball Tournament history, checking in at 4 hours and 21 minutes. It broke the previous record — set earlier in the day during the other 14-inning game played in the SEC Tournament earlier that day between LSU and Alabama.
Now, Georgia advances to Thursday’s quarterfinals to take on 2-seed Florida in the quarterfinals. But it took a massive effort to get there.
The Bulldogs went scoreless for 12 innings as Auburn pitcher Maddie Penta go 9.0 innings on the mound, totaling 163 pitches and gave up one hit over her last 8.2 innings of work. She struck out six batters and threw 102 strikes during a strong performance on the mound.
Hitting came easier for the Bulldogs’ lineup once Penta was relieved by Shelby Lowe. Lowe, who let up the final four runs in the 14th, gave up eight hits and two walks in 4.2 innings of work. While she kept Georgia off the board for a while, she ultimately couldn’t keep the ball inside the park and the Bulldogs have punched their ticket to the quarterfinals thanks to the bat of Gordon.
For Georgia, Lilli Backes earned the start on the mound. She finished her work after 6.2 innings, letting up six hits on two earned runs and three walks while logging three strikeouts. Madison Kerpics relieved her and despite allowing a three-run home run in the 14th — only let up two hits during her 7.1-inning performance.
Thursday afternoon’s matchup between Florida and Georgia is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET and will air live on the SEC Network. By the time first pitch rolls around, one semifinal in the SEC Tournamentwill be set as Tennessee vs. LSU and Arkansas vs. Missouri will be featured before the mid-afternoon matchup beginning at 10 a.m. CT.