The Georgia Bulldogs entered Sunday needing a pair of wins against the Baylor Bears to make it to the 2011 Women's College World Series. One down, one to go, as UGA asserted itself to the tune of a 14-2 mercy-rule win in Game 1. Jolting home runs left and right, Georgia played like Georgia after mustering just a single run Saturday night.
Baylor's Whitney Canion gave up three home runs by the third inning, beginning a string of pitching changes for the Bears. Canion is expected to return for the afternoon's decisive Game 3. Likewise, UGA ace Morgan Montemayor had a seat early in advance of the rubber match.
And that fourth inning. Oh, the fourth inning. The Bulldogs hammered out a 10-run half-frame that included, among other things, Laura Trout's first home run of the year. Baylor responded by loading the bases and bringing in a couple runs, but never enough to put the mercy rule win in jeopardy.
The Athens Super Regional schedule:
Baylor def. Georgia, 4-1 (1-0)
Georgia def. Baylor, 14-2 (1-1)
Baylor vs. Georgia Game 3 (if necessary), May 29 at 6:15 pm ET, ESPNU
Head to the NCAA's site for softball scores and a look at the complete Women's College World Series bracket as it gets filled in. For more UGA sports, join Dawg Sports. For more softball, browse SB Nation's list of college blogs.