ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — A weather-delayed start did nothing to cool off the Georgia offense Friday afternoon as the 12th-ranked Bulldogs erupted for a 12-2 victory over Queens University of Charlotte at Foley Field.

The game, initially scheduled for an afternoon start, was pushed back to 5:15 p.m. due to rain and lightning. Once play began, Georgia’s bats quickly made up for lost time, turning a two-run deficit into a commanding lead with a pair of big innings.

Queens, the visiting Royals, struck first in the second inning. Logan Lively singled, advanced on a walk and scored on a ground-rule double by Jace Hudson to take a 1-0 lead. The Royals added another run in the fifth without a hit, as Tyler Mathay singled, stole second and third, and scored on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.

That early advantage was short-lived. Georgia’s offense, which had been held hitless through the first two innings by Queens starter Garrett Jones, exploded in the bottom of the third. The Bulldogs sent nine men to the plate, scoring five runs on four hits to seize control. The rally started with a one-out single by Dylan Black and a walk to Tre Phelps. Slate Jack followed with an RBI double, Michael O’Shaughnessy drove in a run with a groundout, and Henry Allen delivered an RBI single. Brennan Hudson then capped the outburst with a towering two-run home run to right field, giving Georgia a 5-2 lead.

The Bulldogs broke the game open with a four-run fifth inning, chasing Jones and battering the Royals’ bullpen. Phelps led off the frame with a solo home run to left. After a hit-by-pitch and a walk, Queens reliever Jack Clevidence entered but could not stem the tide. O’Shaughnessy ripped an RBI double, and later in the inning, Cole Johnson laced a two-run single to right, extending the lead to 9-2.

Georgia added single runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly by Hudson and two more in the eighth on a two-run homer by Allen, his first of the season, to provide the final margin.

The offensive support was more than enough for Georgia starter Joey Volchko, who earned the win. The right-hander settled in after the early run, working six strong innings. He allowed two runs on four hits, walking one and striking out six. The Bulldogs’ bullpen was dominant in relief, as Joe Nottingham and Mason Kosowick combined for three perfect innings, striking out six of the nine batters they faced.

Queens managed only five hits total, with Hudson’s RBI double in the second representing their only extra-base hit and run batted in. The Royals’ bullpen struggled, with four relievers combining to allow nine runs over the final 4 2/3 innings.

The most important sequence of the game was Georgia’s five-run third inning. It immediately answered Queens’ early scoring, transformed a deficit into a multi-run lead, and established a tone of offensive dominance that persisted for the remainder of the contest. The rally, highlighted by Hudson’s two-run blast, effectively decided the outcome before the game was halfway complete.

With the victory, Georgia improves to 12-3 this season. Queens falls to 4-9. The teams are scheduled to continue their three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday.