Georgia Dominates Texas 7-1 in CWS Opener Behind Volchko's Stellar 15-K Performance

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — In a commanding performance, Joey Volchko achieved a career-high 15 strikeouts during his first complete game, leading Georgia to a 7-1 victory over Texas in a matchup of the Southeastern Conference's elite at the College World Series on Saturday night. This marks Georgia's first appearance in Omaha since 2008, and they are set to face Oklahoma on Monday for a chance to assert dominance in all-SEC Bracket 2. Meanwhile, Texas will take on Alabama in an elimination game on the same day.

Volchko (11-2) was phenomenal on the mound, striking out nine out of the first 13 batters he faced, allowing just four singles, and not walking a single batter until the ninth inning of his 114-pitch outing. After fanning Temo Becerra to seal the game, Volchko celebrated by turning around, extending his arms, and letting out a triumphant yell before sharing a moment with catcher Daniel Jackson.

With this win, Georgia (52-12) improved to an impressive 6-0 in the NCAA Tournament and has claimed victory in 20 of their last 21 games since late April. In contrast, Texas (45-14) has now suffered four consecutive losses in the College World Series, having struggled in their last three appearances since 2021.

Texas ace Dylan Volantis (10-2) faced difficulties throughout the game. Despite allowing only four hits and striking out nine, he struggled with control, resulting in two wild pitches and hitting four batters—an increase from the seven he had hit prior to this game. The Longhorns' first inning was particularly disastrous, with Volantis throwing 41 pitches as multiple errors compounded their woes.

Georgia initiated their scoring with a two-run homer from Rylan Lujo that hit the left-field foul pole, marking only the third home run allowed by Volantis in 89 innings this season. The Bulldogs capitalized on two hit batters and a pair of errors by catcher Carson Tinney, taking a commanding 4-0 lead. Texas managed to score once in the fifth due to a pickoff error by Volchko, but Georgia sealed the win with three additional runs in the seventh, built on two hits, an error, and a wild pitch.