Georgia Bulldogs Dominate Binghamton in NCAA Baseball Opener

ATHENS, Georgia — The Georgia Bulldogs opened their NCAA Baseball Tournament campaign with a resounding 20-4 victory over the Binghamton Bearcats on Friday at Foley Field. The match was the first of the Athens Regional and had a delayed start due to weather.

Despite the three-and-a-half hour wait, Georgia showcased their power early in the game. Slate Alford and Dan Jackson each hit home runs in the first inning, giving the Bulldogs a quick 5-0 lead.

Jackson, who had a standout performance, launched two three-run home runs, ending the game with six RBIs. “It felt great to contribute to the team,” Jackson said. “We came out strong and kept the pressure on them.”

Pitcher Leighton Finley dominated on the mound for Georgia, throwing 6.2 innings and striking out multiple batters while allowing just two runs. “Leighton did an outstanding job,” coach Scott Stricklin said. “He set the tone for us and we executed well offensively.”

Binghamton struggled to keep pace as Georgia’s hitters kept finding ways to drive in runs. The Bulldogs’ offense logged 18 hits and capitalized on Binghamton’s errors, scoring multiple runs in several innings. The scoring spree included two home runs from Nolan McCarthy and a double from Tre Phelps.

Georgia’s strong performance was a continuation of their successful season, which includes a 42-15 overall record. The Bulldogs aim to make a deep run in the tournament as they aspire for a national title. “We’re focused on each game and want to keep this momentum going,” said Jackson.

Next up for Georgia is a matchup in the Athens Regional against the winner of the game between the other two participating teams. The Bulldogs are hoping to advance to Omaha for the College World Series.