Oklahoma State Stuns No. 7 Georgia with Dramatic Comeback
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — In a thrilling showdown in the Athens Regional, Oklahoma State rallied from behind, defeating No. 7 seed Georgia 11-9 thanks to a spectacular four-run ninth inning. Kollin Ritchie ignited the comeback with his 17th home run of the season, while freshman Brock Thompson capped it off with a dramatic walk-off two-run homer, marking Oklahoma State’s 15th of the tournament.
With this victory, Oklahoma State (30-24) eliminated Georgia (43-17) and advanced to the regional final, where they are set to face Duke on Sunday night. The Cowboys will need to secure two wins against the Blue Devils to reach the super regionals.
Georgia, which boasted an impressive 29-4 home record this season, appeared strong early on. Slate Alford led the Bulldogs with a phenomenal 3-for-4 performance, including two home runs and three RBIs. He initiated a five-run third inning with a crucial two-run blast and added a solo shot in the fourth, helping Georgia establish a 6-3 lead. The Bulldogs extended their advantage with RBI singles in the seventh and eighth, leading 9-7 entering the final frame.
However, the night ultimately belonged to the Cowboys, as reliever Matthew Brown (1-0) struck out three hitters to offer Oklahoma State a fighting chance in the ninth. Tyler McLoughlin and Zach Harris (3-1) both surrendered home runs, sealing Georgia’s fate.
As Oklahoma State gears up for their next challenge, their resilience and power at the plate can’t be overlooked. After eliminating a highly ranked opponent, they’ll aim to keep their momentum alive against Duke in the pivotal regional finale.
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