Georgia Bulldog split doubleheader with Wright State in Athens

ATHENS — Sixth-ranked Georgia learned something about itself Saturday at Foley Field.

The Bulldogs flexed their power arms and bats in a 9-0 shutout of Wright State in the opener, then absorbed a 6-3 setback in the nightcap. The split secured the three-game series for Georgia (2-1) and provided Ike Cousins head coach Wes Johnson with an early-season measuring stick.

Game 1 was crisp, authoritative and loud.

Game 2 was instructive.

Game 1: Ishikawa shines, bats erupt

Sophomore Kenny Ishikawa, who made his Bulldog debut in center field Friday, earned his first start on the mound Saturday and delivered 4.1 scoreless innings. The left-hander allowed two walks and struck out eight to pick up his first win.

“There’s definitely a lot of adjustments with Coach Johnson,” Ishikawa said. “My pitching has changed a lot since I got here. That’s showing up. I’m throwing more change-ups. I think hitters are getting more swing and misses.”

Georgia’s bullpen ensured there would be no drama. Justin Byrd, Matt Scott and Mason Kosowick combined for 4.2 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts.

The offense backed them with power.

Daniel Jackson launched the Bulldogs’ first home run of the day in the second inning. Moments later, Rylan Lujo became the first Georgia player since 2002 to homer in his first at-bat as a Bulldog.

Tre Phelps, who continues to swing one of the hottest bats in the lineup, blasted his second homer of the series in the fifth, stretching his hitting streak to 16 games. Brennan Hudson added his first home run of the season in the sixth, and Jordy Oriach broke it open with a three-run double as Georgia built a 9-0 cushion.

Georgia struck for four home runs and leaned on pitching that overwhelmed Wright State hitters.

Game 2: Lessons in the late innings

The nightcap offered a different storyline.

Junior Dylan Vigue started and struck out five over 3.1 innings but allowed two runs and absorbed the loss. Georgia cycled through six relievers, with Thomas Ellisen providing 2.1 hitless, scoreless frames.

The Bulldogs hit balls hard — several over 100 mph off the bat — but struggled to convert.

“We had quite a few balls over 100. We didn’t get anything to show for it,” Johnson said. “That’s our game, right? Sometimes you don’t hit balls hard and you score runs. Sometimes you hit balls really hard and you don’t score runs. It’s kind of what happened. We learned a lot right there in that fourth, fifth inning.”

Phelps extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a double and made a highlight defensive play in the fourth, diving to tag out Hunter Warren at third on a steal attempt.

Bryce Calloway delivered a two-run single in the fourth to keep Georgia within reach. Henry Allen crushed the first home run of his Bulldog career in the seventh to trim the deficit to 6-3, but Wright State held firm.

Johnson emphasized the value of early-season adversity.

“With some guys, you’ve got to put them in there,” he said. “You’ve got to put them in the fire and see where they’re at. You see how they respond and go from there.”

Looking ahead

Georgia returns to Foley Field on Wednesday to face USC Upstate. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and will air on SECN+ and the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network.