June 18, 2004

Box Score

By ERIC OLSON
Associated Press Writer

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Joey Side hit a two-run single that capped a four-run fourth inning and Will Startup pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to give Georgia an 8-7 victory over Arizona in the College World Series on Friday.

The Bulldogs (44-21) advance to play Sunday against the winner of Friday's late matchup of Arkansas and Texas. Arizona (35-26-1) plays the Arkansas-Texas loser on Sunday.

Side drove in the go-ahead runs as Georgia turned a 6-3 deficit into a 7-6 lead.

The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the seventh when Jason Jacobs scored from third after Arizona catcher Nick Hundley threw into center field trying to pick off Jonathan Wyatt at second base.

Startup, the All-Southeastern Conference closer, came on in the seventh and struck out the side.

He ran into trouble in the eighth. Arizona made it 8-7 when Brad Boyer beat out a potential double-play grounder, allowing Hundley to score. Trevor Crowe then singled and Jeff Van Houten walked to load the bases.

Startup ran the count to 3-2 against Jordan Brown before Brown struck out swinging at a fastball.

Startup pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 11th save.

Johnny Dobbs (6-2) gave up two hits and no runs in 2 2-3 innings after Arizona had rocked Georgia starter Paul Lubrano for six runs on nine hits the first 3 1-3 innings.

Arizona starter Koley Kolberg (9-7) gave up 12 hits and eight runs, six earned, in 6 2-3 innings.

Georgia batted around in the fourth inning.

Josh Smith hit a bases-loaded, two-run single to pull the Bulldogs to 6-5, and then Side gave Georgia the lead with his single.

Arizona had gone up 6-3 in the top of the fourth, batting around and scoring five times on six hits.