ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — A shaky start by Georgia’s pitching staff was salvaged by a dominant bullpen performance and a timely sixth-inning home run, as the Bulldogs defeated South Carolina 3-1 in a Southeastern Conference baseball game Saturday at Foley Field.

The Gamecocks (13-15, 1-7 SEC) capitalized on wildness from Georgia starter Dylan Vigue in the first inning, scoring their only run without a hit. Vigue walked three batters and unleashed a wild pitch, forcing in a run with a bases-loaded walk to KJ Scobey before recording an out.

Georgia coach Scott Stricklin pulled Vigue after just five batters, turning to reliever Paul Farley in a high-leverage situation. Farley, who had allowed four earned runs in his last SEC appearance at Texas A&M, delivered a critical performance. He stranded the inherited bases-loaded jam by getting a strikeout and a groundout, then proceeded to stifle the South Carolina lineup for 4 2/3 innings.

Farley allowed only one hit – a double to Scobey in the fourth – while striking out four and walking none to earn the win. His effort allowed Georgia’s offense time to solve South Carolina starter Amp Phillips.

Phillips was effectively wild for the Gamecocks, striking out nine over six innings but also walking four and hitting a batter. Georgia (22-6, 7-1) tied the game in the second inning on a solo home run by left fielder Henry Allen. The Bulldogs then took the lead for good in the sixth. Allen led off with a single, and center fielder Rylan Lujo followed by launching a two-run homer to left field, providing the decisive runs.

The most important sequence of the game was Farley’s extended relief appearance. After the chaotic first inning, he restored order and matched Phillips zero for zero, enabling Lujo’s later heroics. Matt Scott followed Farley with four scoreless innings of one-hit ball, striking out five to secure the save. Georgia’s three relievers – Farley, Scott and Vigue – combined to allow just two hits and one run over 8 2/3 innings after the initial struggles.

South Carolina’s offense, which managed only two hits total, never threatened after the first. They put the leadoff runner on in the sixth but could not advance him, and their final 10 batters were retired in order by Scott.

The victory marked Georgia’s seventh straight win and clinched the series after a 5-2 win Friday. The Bulldogs’ team ERA actually lowered in the game despite the rocky start, a testament to the bullpen’s work. South Carolina, meanwhile, lost its fourth consecutive game and fell further below .500 in conference play.

The teams conclude the three-game series Sunday afternoon. South Carolina will look to avoid the sweep before returning home to face Wofford on Tuesday. Georgia will go for the sweep before a midweek game against Georgia State and a pivotal road series at Mississippi State next weekend.