The Georgia Bulldogs advanced to the Super Regional for the eighth time in program history with a 6-1 victory over Liberty on Sunday, securing the win despite losing star infielder Tre Phelps and head coach Wes Johnson to ejections in the sixth inning.
“We let our players express themselves,” Johnson said after the game.
Georgia struggled early against Liberty starter Cooper Harington, who tossed six shutout innings and allowed just one hit. But after Harington hit Ryan Black, the lineup turned over and Phelps came to the plate representing the go-ahead run. Phelps, who entered the game hitting .125 on the weekend, blasted a two-run homer over the right-field wall to give Georgia the lead.
Phelps admired the home run before turning toward the first-base side and shouting while beginning his trot around the bases. According to Johnson, Phelps was celebrating toward family members seated above the Liberty dugout.
Liberty coach Bradley LeCroy took exception and rushed out of the dugout. First baseman Jaxon Sorenson also confronted Phelps as he rounded the bases.
“I’m just protecting our guys, that’s all I’m doing,” LeCroy said. “I don’t have anything to do with the ejection.”
After an exchange with the umpiring crew, Phelps was ejected upon reaching home plate despite no prior warnings being issued. Johnson then argued the decision and was also ejected.
Michael O’Shaughnessy replaced Phelps and later added a solo homer to extend Georgia’s lead. After the game, Georgia players hung Phelps’ jersey in the dugout in tribute.
“In loving memory of Tre Phelps,” catcher Daniel Jackson joked afterward.
Phelps’ ejection will carry over into the first game of the Super Regional, which Georgia is expected to host.
Georgia leaned heavily on starter Caden Aoki, who allowed one run across six innings while striking out a career-high 11 batters. Nicknamed “Doc,” Aoki escaped a jam in the sixth inning by striking out his final batter after a mound visit.
“Doctors are pretty precise in what they do, and that’s what he is,” Johnson said.
Reliever Zach Brown, Aoki’s roommate, closed out the game with three scoreless innings.
“He said, ‘I’m going to end the game with a two-seam to my glove side,’” Aoki said. “I don’t care if it’s a righty or a lefty, and I’m freezing him for strike three.’ And he did just that.”
