Sports

FINAL: Clemson hangs on for the 5-2 victory. The three-run homer by Miller in the first proves to be the difference in this game. Georgia never could rebound after that. Georgia struggled to cash in with runners on the base paths by leaving 6 men on base in the last 4 innings alone. Conor Welton led UGA at the plate going 3-4 and fellow freshman, Brandon Stephens, added two hits and played outstanding behind the plate. Clemson used 5 pitchers, 4 after the sixth, and Georgia used 6. Sarratt picks up the win for Clemson making him 3-1, and Cornwell picks up the loss, moving to 1-3. That is all from Foley field today. Georgia loses and moves back to .500. Georgia will travel to Knoxville this weekend to take on the Vols and to Turner Field to play the Jackets then back to Athens for Arkansas. Tune in next weekend!

Bottom of the 9th: Clemson 5 UGA 2: DeLoach leads off the bottom of the ninth with a groundout to the shortstop for the first out. Verdin, in his second at-bat, singles to left to reach base for the second time in as many tries. Up comes Powell, who strikes out for the second out. Austin Wheeler pinch hits for Brandon Stephens, and that move by Coach Perno prompts Coach Leggett to call for the bullpen. Scott Weismann comes in to attempt to end the game. Wheeler does just that and strikes out to end the game.

Top of the 9th: Clemson 4 UGA 2: Tyler Maloof will take over on the mound after Herman ended the last inning. Epps leads off the ninth and grounds one up the middle for a single. Stolz sacrifices and moves Epps to second and into scoring position. Hinson steps in and grounds to Hyams and Epps advances to third. Epps scores on a wild pitch that went behind the DH Pohl. Maloof is able to strike out Pohl to end the inning though. Heading to the ninth, its Tigers 5 and the Dogs 2.

Bottom of the 8th: Clemson 4 UGA 1: Joseph Moorefield comes in to take the mound. Haselden is done after pitching one scoreless inning. Hyams starts the Dogs’ half of the eighth with a strikeout to bring up Welton. Welton skews one in to left field for his third hit of the game; the Dogs now have speed on the base paths, and Moorefield’s day is done. Jonathan Meyer will take the ball from him to face Farmer. Welton advances a base on a wild pitch by Meyer. Farmer grounds out to the shortstop but Welton takes third and is 90 feet away. Cone gets an infield single and Welton crosses the plate for the Dogs second run. Cone gets in scoring position on an errant pickoff throw by Meyer. Hester can’t cash in though as he flies to left. Dogs add one though to make it 4-2.

Top of the 8th: Clemson 4 UGA 1: Schaus leads off the eighth for Clemson with a single over the leaping Hyams. Shaffer then flies out in foul territory right next to the Dogs’ dugout for the first out. Schaus steals second without a throw from Stephens–as he got a good jump off Dieterich. Miller pushes the count full and draws the walk to put two men on base for the center fielder Lamb. Lamb strikes out and that will end Dieterich’s day. John Herman will come in to face Kieboom and will also inherit the two base runners from Dieterich. Kieboom flares one to shallow center that is caught by a retreating Hyams to end the inning. UGA dodges a bullet there.

Bottom of the 7th: Clemson 4 UGA 1: Sarratt’s day is done after 6 solid innings. David Hasledon comes on to face the leadoff man Hester, who shoots a single up the middle. Brett DeLoach comes in as a pinch hitter for DH Chase Davidson (0-2). DeLoach grounds into a fielder’s choice and replaces Hester at first. Peter Verdin pinch hits for RF Kevin Ruiz (0-2). Verdin takes one off the thigh to take first on the hit by pitch. Yet another pinch hitter, Curt Powell pinch hits for 3B Colby May (0-2) and flies the first pitch to deep center for the second out. Stephens strikes out to end the inning and Verdin and DeLoach are left on base. Heading to the 8th, Clemson 4 and UGA 1.

Top of the 7th: Clemson 3 UGA 1: #7 Earl Daniels comes in to take the ball from Hawkins, who is off after 2 2/3 innings pitched. He gave up no runs. Lamb leads off for the Tigers and flies out to foul territory in left field for the first out. Kieboom steps in and hits a double to right center to put a runner in scoring position for Clemson. Epps walks and a force is set up at any base. Stolz strikes out looking for the second out, and Daniels’ day is done. Perno opts to set up the lefty-lefty matchup and brings in Blake Dieterich to face Hinson. Hinson singles to left center to plate Kieboom and Epps advances to third to put runners on the corners. Pohl flies to right to end the inning. Clemson adds one to their lead.

Bottom of the 6th: Clemson 3 UGA 1: Stephens leads off the inning with his second hit on the day, grounding it by a diving third baseman into left field. Hyams reaches first on a fielder’s choice after the second baseman forces Stephens at second. Welton shoots one to left for his second hit of the day. Runners on first and second. Farmer hits a 375-foot, towering fly to left that tails just foul, much to the dismay of fans, and then flies out to right. Hyams tags and goes to third. Cone grounds to the shortstop who tosses it to second to end the inning. Dogs leave two runners on base.

Top of the 6th: Clemson 3 UGA 1: Schaus pops out to third to begin the sixth. Shaffer flies to the right fielder for the second out. Miller grounds out to Hyams to end the inning, and the Tigers go 3 up, 3 down as well.

Bottom of the 5th: Clemson 3 UGA 1: Davidson starts the inning off with a strikeout. Ruiz hits it right back to the pitcher, who throws on to first for the second out. May ends the inning with a strikeout and UGA goes 3 up, 3 down.

Top of the 5th: Clemson 3 UGA 1: Epps is back up to lead off and bunts one in the air that is caught by Hester. Stolz hits one to center that falls in front of Cone for a single. The  Tigers are back to the top in Hinson and he hits a grounder to Hyams who forces Stolz at second. Hinson beats it out and is on first per fielder’s choice. Farmer makes a spectacular play on Pohl’s grounder up the middle and tosses it from his stomach to Hyams who is at second to force Hinson. Halfway through the game, Tigers up 3-1.

Bottom of the 4th: Clemson 3 UGA 1: Welton leads off for UGA and grounds out to first base. Farmer hits a hard hit ball by the third baseman for the Dogs fourth hit on the day. Cone hits one up the middle but the shortstop makes a good play and forces Farmer at second. Cone is aboard on a fielder’s choice. Hester ends the inning by flying out to center field.

Top of the 4th: Clemson 3 UGA 1: Shaffer leads off for Clemson and strikes out. Miller rips a line drive to center for his second hit of the day. That will end Cornwell’s day who will give way to #13 Chase Hawkins (1-2, 5.15 ERA). This is Hawkins fourth relief appearance. Lamb is his first batter, and Lamb hits a liner that narrowly misses Miller on the base path and gets through to right for a single. Runners at first and second. Kieboom flies out to first base for the second out, and the runners stay put. The first pitch to Epps gets away from Stephens and Miller advances to third. Stephens throws out Lamb attempting to steal second to end the inning with Epps at the plate and Miller on third.

Bottom of the 3rd: Clemson 3 UGA 1: May leads off the Dogs half of the third with a flyout to right. Stephens one hops the right field fence but is thrown out by the right fielder Epps trying to stretch it into a double. Two down. Hyams ends the inning grounding out to the first baseman. 3 up, 3 down again.

Top of the 3rd: Clemson 3 UGA 1: Hinson starts the third with a groundout to Hyams for the first out. Pohl grounds to deep short and is thrown out on a great play by the shortstop Farmer and a great scoop by Hester on the backend. Coach Leggett doesn’t like the call and talks to the umpire to see what he saw. Two outs. Schaus grounds to Hyams for the third out. 3 up, 3 down once again.

Bottom of the 2nd: Clemson 3 UGA 1: Hester begins the inning for the dogs with a groundout to the third baseman. One pitch and one out. Davidson chases the left fielder all the way to the warning track but the ball is caught two steps before the wall–two outs. Ruiz strikes out on four pitches. The Dogs duplicate what Clemson did and go 3 up, 3 down. 3-1 after 2.

Top of the 2nd: Clemson 3 UGA 1: Kieboom leads off for Clemson and hits a line drive right at the right fielder which is put away for the first out. Epps flies out to deep center for the second out. Stolz strikes out to end the inning and Clemson goes 3 up, 3 down.

Bottom of the 1st: Clemson 3 UGA 0: Levi Hyams leads for the Dogs and rips a double down the right field line on the first pitch of the game. Welton singles to right and Hyams is held at third to put runners on the corners for Kyle Farmer. Farmer hits a sac fly to center to plate the first run for the home team. Cone ends the inning by grounding into a 6-4-3 double play. Dogs get one back though; 3-1 after 1.

Top of the 1st: Clemson 0 UGA 0: Third baseman John Hinson leads off and hits the first pitch of the game right back to Cornwell who snags it and easily tosses to first for the first out. One pitch, one out. DH Phil Pohl grounds to the second baseman Hyams, who gets the easy hop and throws to first for the second out. LF Jeff Shaus walks to become the Tigers first base runner of the day. Shaffer walks on four pitches to put runners at first and second. Perno makes an early trip to the mound following Cornwell’s second walk. HOMERUN. Brad Miller hits a 3-run homerun to deep left center to clear the bases. However, Lamb comes up and strikes out to end the inning. Tigers up 3-0.

FIRST PITCH: 7:06 PM

Hello fans, Wright Gazaway here for the live blog. The Bulldogs will take on the #21 ranked Clemson Tigers (22-13). Georgia is looking to rebound after dropping 2 out of 3 to the Gators this past weekend. Georgia lost a close one Friday, 4-2, pulled out a hard-fought 7-2 victory Saturday, and lost 14-7 on Sunday. Clemson comes in hot, winning 8 of their last 9, sweeping Boston College most recently. Weather is a little bit overcast with no wind tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.

STARTING LINEUPS:

Clemson Tigers (22-13)

#4 3B John Hinson  (.290)
#9 DH Phil Pohl (.395)
#3 LF Jeff Shaus (.318)
#8 1B Richie Shaffer (.349)
#13 SS Brad Miller (.404)
#30 CF Will Lamb (.299)
#22 C Spencer Kieboom (.360)
#26 RF Chris Epps (.261)
#2 2B Jason Stolz (.275)

Pitching: #23 RHP Justin Sarratt (2-1, 2.81 ERA)

University of Georgia Bulldogs (19-18)

#3 2B Levi Hyams (.342)
#11 LF Conor Welton (.259)
#17 SS Kyle Farmer (.295)
#12 CF Zach Cone (.299)
#10 1B Jonathan Hester (.289)
#45 DH Chase Davidson (.263)
#36 RF Kevin Ruiz (.267)
#25 3B Colby May (.226)
#5 C Brandon Stephens (.277)

Pitching: #23 RHP Ben Cornwell (1-2, 5.48 ERA)

The annual G-Day football game isn’t about piling up the stats. It’s about team chemistry and bragging rights. Both the Red and Black squads built up the team unity today, but only the Black squad earned bragging rights with an 18-11 win over their Red brethren.

Freshman quarterback Christian LeMay led the Black team on a game-winning drive, and redshirt freshman Ken Malcome ended it with a 12-yard touchdown run with 2:53 left in the game. The Red team could get no further than the Black 37-yard line on the ensuing drive.

“I thought we moved the ball pretty well, especially in the second half, ” said Black quarterback Aaron Murray. “As an offensive unit, it’s hard to gel when you haven’t played with the guys next to you.”

The Red team took an 11-10 lead with 6:59 left to play on a 5-yard rush by Carlton Thomas, but they couldn’t convert the two-point attempt afterwards. Thomas believes that the running game will be crucial to the Bulldogs’ success in the 2011 season.

“The backfield is one of the most experienced units out there,” Thomas said. “However many carries we need to make, we’ll do it, whether it’s 20 carries, 30 carries, whatever.”

The only other touchdown of the game was made by Branden Smith, who gave the Black team a 10-5 lead in the third quarter with a 28-yard run after a catch from Murray. Smith is expected to play all over the field for the Bulldogs next season as a defensive back, running back, and kick returner.

“We got a lot of people competing for the kick returning job,” Smith said. “Communication and technique are the keys for the defensive backs.”

There were a lot of young, inexperienced players out there playing today, but the G-Day record crowd of 43,117 fans got to see several bright spots for the future. There may not be NFL football next season, but Bulldog fans can count on another exciting season between the hedges.

Final Score: Black 18, Red 11.

Connor Welch starts the drive by completing a 25-yard pass to Israel Troupe. King gets another first down with a run to the Black 38. Redshirt sophomore LB Reuben Faloughi gets a sack on Welch. Faloughi gets another sack on the next down. On 3rd-and-18, Welch is forced to go long to Michael Bennett, but the pass falls short. Fourth down; the last chance for Red. Welch overthrows Bennett, and that will do it. The Black team with the white jerseys pulls it out on a nice drive by freshman QB Christian LeMay. The Black squad still tries to pile up some more offense, but the clock runs out.

Matt DeGenova sacks LeMay on first down from the 25. LeMay completes to Brown out to the 30. First down for the Black team. LeMay passes to Bradberry across the 40. Another first down as Brandon Harton runs to the Red 46. With under five minutes to play, Ken Malcome gets across the Red 40. LeMay keeps for a first down at the 35. First down, Black. Malcome carries to the 25. LeMay is putting quite a drive together. He passes to Charles, who is run out of bounds at the 12. TOUCHDOWN. Malcome basically walks into the endzone after the line opened up a huge hole for him. The two-point conversion is good on a Murray pass to Bradberry. With 2:53 to go, Black 18, Red 11.

Fourth Quarter– Apparently, we have a new G-Day attendance record of 43,117. It doesn’t seem like that many people are still here though. Mason completes a pass into Black territory to King. First down at the 49. Junior DB Shawn Williams drops an easy interception on first down. Mason completes a short pass to King, and the receiver does the rest, running down to the 30-yard line. Connor Norman makes another great defensive play, breaking up a pass intended for Lynch. Another first down as Mason completes to Lynch at the 19. Thomas runs around left end down to the 6. First and goal. TOUCHDOWN. After getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage a few times, Thomas finally gets into the endzone. Two-point conversion fails; Mason’s throw is deflected incomplete. With 6:59 to go in the game, Red is back up, 11-10.

Aaron Murray back at QB for the Black team. Branden Smith uses his speed to break a few tackles on a seven-yard run. Taylor Bradberry gets a first down at the Red 49. Murray goes deep for Brown, who can’t grab it but gets a pass interference call on Red. Yet another fumble, the first by the Black team. Brandon Harton coughs it up, and the Red team recovers at their own 33. That’s the end of the third quarter. Black 10, Red 5.

Christian LeMay is back under center for the Black team, but he’s unable to come up with any kind of yardage. The drive ends in three plays. Red takes over at midfield. Hutson is immediately intercepted by Connor Norman on a pass over the middle.

Redshirt freshman QB Greg Bingham takes his first snap for the Red, scampers for a six-yard gain, then completes to redshirt sophomore WR Rhett McGowan for the first down at the 44-yard line. Kwame Geathers makes another tackle for loss. RB Alex Parsons breaks a tackle but is stopped well short of the first down. Timeout with 5:28 left in the third. Drew Butler punts; Black team takes over at their own 20.

Third quarterr– We’re underway with Murray completing a nine-yard pass. He hits Marlon Brown across midfield. First down at the Red 46. Murray completes to Orson Charles at the 34. The Black/White team is moving, but Alec Ogletree has been everywhere for the Red defense. TOUCHDOWN. Murray throws to Branden Smith, who beats Derek Owens to the sideline and runs for a 28-yard score. The Black team is back on top, 10-5.

A low-scoring first half was to be expected with all the injuries and such. The Red team had the better offense in the first half, outgaining the Black team 144-42, with eight first downs to the Black team’s two. But the Red team also had two turnovers. Mason passed for 65 yards; Murray for 37. Carlton Thomas was the leading rusher with 25 yards.

With 1:24 to go in the half, Team Red takes over on their own 45. Kwame Geathers breaks through the line and takes down Carlton Thomas for a 5-yard loss. On third down, Redshirt sophomore LB Chase Vasser makes a great tackle on King. Red punts to the Black 30. Jarvis Jones gets a touch sack on Murray. And that’s how the half ends. Not much action and even less scoring. Red takes a 5-3 lead into the locker room.

Black team also goes three and out. Christian LeMay, the freshman from North Carolina, can’t complete his first pass on a simple fullback toss.

Red team quickly goes three and out. Punts are pretty boring. The defense isn’t allowed to rush, and the returner isn’t allowed to return. The Black team takes over on their own 20. Under four to play here in the first half.

Marlon Brown catches an 18-yard pass on first down. Black team can’t convert on 4th-and-1. The Red team takes over on their own 49.

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Rosters for G-Day after the jump.

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Georgia scrimmaged for 90 minutes in Sanford Stadium on April 9 preparing for the 2011 season and G-Day, which will take place next Saturday in Sanford Stadium.

Below are the unofficial statistics following the scrimmage.

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FINAL UGA 8 CSU 1: Hawkins goes 6 strong and gets his first win on the season. Williams picks up the loss for CSU. Verdin led the Dawgs at the plate, going 3-3. Chase Davidson also hit his 3rd homer on the year. Thanks for reading and be sure to check back tomorrow as UGA host CSU for the final game of this two game set.

Top of the 9th: UGA 8 CSU 0: Earl Daniels comes and takes over from Herman. Burkett leads off for CSU and strikes out swinging for the first out. Derek Smith walks to bring up Quattlebaum. Quattlebaum singles to right center on a hit and run and Smith scores from first to end the shutout. Quattlebaum steals second without a throw as the count to Sustar moves to 1-2. Sustar singles to right and the Bucs have runners on the corners. Still watches three straight strikes for the second out. Sustar takes second without a throw. Buckley lines to center to end the inning and the game.

Bottom of the 8th: UGA 7 CSU 0: K. Ward is now on the mound for the Buccaneers. Christmas stays in and plays second. Buckley takes over behind the plate. Austin Wheeler gets his first at-bat of the day and grounds out to the second baseman for the first out. Connor Welton comes to bat and draws the walk. Back to the top as Hyams steps in and rips a single up the middle. Runners on first and second, 1 out. Ward’s day is done after 1/3 of an inning. Shaefer takes over for Ward and inherits two base runners. His first batter is Curt Powell and Powell watches the third strike go by for the second out. Farmer hits a Texas leaguer for a single and Welton scores. However, Hyams is tagged out at third moments after Welton crosses the plate. Dogs up 8-0.

Top of the 8th: UGA 7 CSU 0: Georgia makes a slew of changes. Connor Welton takes over in left,  Lance Martin takes over in center, Austin Wheeler is in right and Ruiz moves to first. John Herman takes over on the mound for Tanner. B. Christmas pinch hits for McKinney and strikes out looking for the first out. The SS Tomasovich steps up and flies out to the new right fielder, Wheeler, for the second out. Meier grounds out to short to end the inning.

Bottom of the 7th: UGA 6 CSU 0: Zach Cone leads off for the Dogs and flies out to deep center for the first out. HOME RUN. Davidson clears the center field fence with room to spare for his first hit of the day and the Dogs first run. Deloach flies the next pitch to right field for the second out. Ruiz grounds out to deep short for the third out. Dogs add one run on Davidson’s homerun.

Top of the 7th: UGA 6 CSU 0: Hawkins’ day is over after 6 strong innings. He gives up 0 runs on 3 hits while throwing only 60 pitches. Cecil Tanner takes over for him. The 1B Quattlebaum leads off for CSU and grounds out to Hyams for the first out. Sustar singles up the middle on the first pitch of his at-bat. The left fielder, Still, strikes out a check swing as Sustar steals second. Sustar advances to third as Tanner balks. Woodall is at the plate. Woodall strikes out and ends the inning. Tanner strikes out two.

Bottom of the 6th: UGA 6 CSU 0: the LF Peter Verdin leads off the inning with his third it in as many at bats with a single up the middle. Levi Hyams comes up and lines to a sliding RF for the first out and Verdin scampers back to first. Verdin steals second on the first pitch of 3B Curt Powell’s at-bat. Powell advances Verdin to third with a groundout to the SS for the second out. SS Kyle Farmer ends the inning with a fly out to center. The center fielder and right fielder collide but the CF is able to hang out and walk off by himself. The bulldogs are held scoreless for the third straight inning.

Top of the 6th UGA 6 CSU 0: The SS Tomasovich leads off and singles to left for the Bucs’ second hit. CF and leadoff man Meier comes up and grounds into a 5-4-3 double play for the first two outs. RF Burkett doubles down the left field line for the third hit of the game, and second of the inning, for CSU. DH Smith grounds into a fielder’s choice as Burkett runs into the third baseman for out number 3.

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Wilkins driving in with the ball in a game against the Magic.

It’s safe to say Damien Wilkins’ NCAA tournament bracket was busted since day one.

“I had [Georgia] winning it actually,” said the former Georgia player. “People thought I was crazy.  I had to, I couldn’t go with anyone else.”

Wilkins’ loyalty didn’t do him any favors.  Georgia lost it’s opening round match up against the Washington Huskies.

Despite their shortcomings in the postseason, Wilkins was impressed with this year’s Bulldog team.

Comparatively speaking, of course.

Wilkins, now with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA, was a member of the 2002-2003 Georgia team, the last Bulldogs team to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

“I would always say our team was the best team that was there,” said Wilkins. “Their inside presence actually now is much better than what it was we was there.  We had all perimeter guys.”

As talented as they were, the university decided to forfeit any postseason appearances due to NCAA infractions involving former head coach Jim Harrick and his son and assistant coach Jim Harrick, Jr.

Now in his seventh NBA season, Wilkins sees a bright future for his alma mater.

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UGA Sports Communications

ATHENS —– University of Georgia junior Trey Thompkins will enter the 2011 NBA Draft and also plans to hire an agent, effectively ending his career as an amateur, head coach Mark Fox announced Tuesday.

Additionally, UGA teammate Travis Leslie, also a junior, will add his name to the list of underclassmen in the NBA Draft but will not hire an agent, thus preserving his collegiate eligibility.

Thompkins, a 6-10 forward from Lithonia, Ga., earned first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors the past two years.  He has led the Bulldogs in scoring and rebounding each of his those years and will finish his UGA career with 1,396 points and 693 rebounds.  Those figures rank 13th and 10th, respectively, on the school’s career charts.

“I have spoken with my family and coaches about my situation, and I feel that it’s best for me to forgo my senior season and enter the NBA Draft,” Thompkins said.  “I would just like to thank everyone who has supported me in this decision.”

“We certainly appreciate Trey’s contributions to the program and we wish him well in the pursuit of his dreams,” Fox said.

Leslie, a 6-4 guard from Decatur, was a second-team All-SEC pick by the league’s head coaches this past season.  He averaged 14.4 points and 7.2 rebounds in 2011, second on the team behind Thompkins in both categories, and he also handed out 97 assists.  Like Thompkins, he surpassed the 1,000-point mark in 2011 and finished the season with 1,099 points, which ranks 30th on the UGA career scoring chart.

“Travis has exercised his right to ‘test the waters’ as a junior,” Fox said.  “We will help him manage that process in a timely manner.”

The deadline for collegiate underclassmen to withdraw their names from the draft and preserve eligibility is May 8.  The NBA Draft will take place June 23 in Newark, N.J.