ATHENS, Ga. – No. 5 Florida dropped the opening game of the series, 4-2, to No. 20 Georgia Saturday night at Jack Turner Stadium.

The Gators (25-4, 8-2 SEC) received 4.2 innings of work from right-hander Elizabeth Hightower (12-2), while the Bulldogs picked up a complete-game performance from Mary Wilson Avant (12-2) on the evening.

Baylee Goddard broke open the scoring and gave the Gators a 2-0 lead in the top of the 2^nd inning of play. Julia Cottrill started the frame when she reached via an error on the right side of the Georgia infield and Goddard drove her home with a two-out blast over the left field wall.

Georgia responded in the bottom of the 3^rd inning with a two-run home run of their own to tie the game 2-2. With one out on the board, Payden Bordeau lifted a 2-2 pitch over the left field wall to score Sydney Chambley, who reached a full-count walk.

The Bulldogs designated player Sara Mosley deposited a solo shot over the left field wall with one out to give Georgia its first lead of the game, 3-2, in the bottom of the 4^th inning of play.

Georgia scratched across an insurance run in the 6^th inning to extend its lead out to 4-2. Savana Sikes produced a two-out double down the left field line and advanced to third, advanced to third on a wild pitch and was scored on an RBI single through the left side of the infield.

Rylee Trlicek relieved Hightower in the circle and forced a lineout to a diving Goddard in right field to end the inning and strand two Georgia runners. The Hallettsville, Texas native also turned in scoreless 6^th inning to keep the Gators within striking distance.

Florida was able to bring the tying run to the plate in the 6^th and 7^th inning, but Georgia found a way to escape the inning each time.

The Gators will look to even the series with the Bulldogs as the two teams return to action Sunday at 3 p.m. on the SEC Network.

Notable Notes:

• Florida still maintains a 40-28 advantage in the all-time series against Georgia.
• Baylee Goddard belted her first home run of the season to give the Gators a 2-0 lead in the 2^nd inning of play.
  • It's Goddard's fifth home run of her career and first since March 4, 2020 against FGCU.