ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — Kolby Branch launched a three-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday afternoon, capping a dramatic comeback as the Georgia Bulldogs rallied from a five-run deficit to defeat The Citadel Bulldogs 8-5 at Athens Olympic Indoor Hall.

The game-winning blast, Branch’s second homer of the game, erased what had been a commanding early lead for the visiting Bulldogs from The Citadel and extended Georgia’s winning streak.

The most important part of the game was undoubtedly the final frame. Entering the bottom of the ninth tied 5-5, Georgia’s Connor O’Shaughnessy drew a leadoff walk. After two quick outs, pinch-runner Kade Newman worked another walk, setting the stage for Branch. The Georgia shortstop, who had been in a recent slump, fell behind in the count before driving a pitch over the left-field wall to end the game, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The Citadel (8-10) had controlled the game for the first six innings, building a 5-0 lead through a combination of small ball and timely hitting. They scored once in the first on a sacrifice fly by Bo Daniel, then added two more in the third on a two-run single by Sawyer Hunt. Lane Tobin contributed an RBI double in the sixth, later scoring on an RBI single by Tanner Williams.

Georgia (18-4) was stifled for six innings by a parade of Citadel relievers. Jack Thunberg, Trip Brown and Andrew Buffkin combined for 5 2/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief, keeping the potent Georgia lineup off balance.

The momentum shifted decisively in the seventh. Branch broke up the shutout with a solo homer to left-center. Two batters later, Tre Phelps followed with another solo shot, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

The home Bulldogs then erupted for three runs in the eighth to tie the game. An RBI groundout by Dylan Lujo and a run-scoring single by Fernando Arcamone made it 5-4. Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Slate Jack was hit by a pitch to force in the tying run.

Georgia’s bullpen was instrumental in the win, allowing just one run over the final 6 1/3 innings. Thomas Ellisen, Paul Farley, Joe Nottingham and Caleb Jameson combined for eight strikeouts. Jameson struck out the side in the top of the ninth to earn the win.

Branch finished 3 for 5 with two home runs and four RBIs, breaking out of a 1-for-10 skid over his previous three games. Phelps also had three hits, including a homer, for Georgia. Tobin led The Citadel with two hits and an RBI.

The victory was Georgia’s fourth straight and improved its record in one-run games this season. The Citadel saw its two-game win streak snapped.

Georgia opens a three-game Southeastern Conference series at Texas A&M on Friday. The Citadel returns home to face Clemson on Wednesday before beginning a Southern Conference series at Mercer on Friday.

AP Sports Writer