Dylan Vigue fell one pitch shy of an immaculate inning in the first inning of Georgia’s victory over Samford on Sunday.
After striking out the Bulldogs’ first two batters on three pitches each, Vigue jumped ahead 0-2 on the third hitter before bouncing a pitch in the dirt. He secured the strikeout one pitch later. It proved to be one of the few blemishes in a dominant performance.
Georgia went on to score 22 unanswered runs — the most in the tenure of coach Wes Johnson — and invoked the run rule in the seventh inning for a 22-0 victory.
Every Georgia starter recorded at least one hit and scored a run, marking the first time the program has accomplished the feat since 2010.
The Bulldogs broke the game open with 10 runs in the third inning, creating all the separation they needed before Samford recorded an out in the frame.
“I don’t think we’ve really changed anything. I just think that’s kind of the guys we’ve got this year,” first baseman Brennan Hudson said. Hudson homered twice in the win.
Georgia, at times criticized under Johnson for relying heavily on the long ball, showed a more balanced offensive approach. The Bulldogs totaled six singles, five doubles and six home runs, along with eight walks. By the end of the game, every starter had been replaced.
“We have so many guys who do a great job of putting balls in play and moving pitches and getting hits,” Hudson said. “Obviously homers will come.”
The momentum carried over to the mound. Vigue, a junior right-hander who transferred from Michigan and was charged with Georgia’s first loss last week, responded with four innings of one-hit ball. He did not allow a run and struck out six.
Vigue worked out of his only jam in the third inning after loading the bases with no outs. He recorded a strikeout and induced a groundball double play to escape unscathed.
Georgia pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts, three walks and allowed just one hit.
“You want them to strive and search for perfection,” Johnson said.
The sweep was Georgia’s first of the season and improved the Bulldogs to 6-1. With a roster that includes transfers, freshmen and returning starters, the early returns point to significant depth and potential in Athens this season.
