Georgia rallies past Tennessee in Athens, 8-7

Bulldogs erase early five-run deficit to clinch SEC series victory

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:27am

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The sixth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs erased an early five-run deficit and used a dramatic seventh-inning rally to defeat No. 21 Tennessee, 8-7, Sunday afternoon at Foley Field, clinching the SEC series in front of 3,039 fans.

Why it matters

This comeback win against a ranked SEC opponent shows the resilience and determination of the Georgia baseball team, who were able to overcome a large early deficit to secure an important conference series victory.

The details

Georgia (17-4, 2-1 SEC) trailed 5-0 after three innings but mounted a steady comeback, with key hits from Tre Phelps, Brennan Hudson, and Bryce Calloway, whose three-run homer in the seventh inning gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the afternoon. Tennessee (14-6, 1-2 SEC) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but Georgia chipped away at the deficit before the decisive seventh-inning rally.

  • Georgia trailed 5-0 after three innings.
  • In the fifth inning, Georgia scored two runs to make it 5-2.
  • In the sixth inning, Georgia hit a solo home run to make it 5-3.
  • In the seventh inning, Georgia scored five runs to take an 8-5 lead.
  • Tennessee scored one run in the seventh and one in the ninth to make it 8-7.

The players

Bryce Calloway

A graduate infielder for Georgia who hit the decisive three-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Bulldogs the lead.

Cole Johnson

A freshman outfielder for Georgia who made a spectacular catch at the wall in the ninth inning to preserve the victory.

Wes Johnson

The head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs baseball team.

Reese Chapman

A player for Tennessee who delivered a two-run double in the first inning.

Henry Ford

A player for Tennessee who hit a two-run home run in the third inning.

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What they’re saying

“I couldn't believe it when I saw him make that catch. When Cole was going back, he works on that stuff every day in batting practice. He gets after it. But when he actually made that play in that moment, it was incredible.”

— Wes Johnson, Georgia head coach

“It's not the good things in life that make who you are — it's the bad stuff. When you start having that adversity and battling through it, that's when you come back stronger. It means a lot for us to get this series.”

— Bryce Calloway

“I knew it was going to be right up against the wall. If it was a homer, it wasn't going to be out by much. I was just trying to get my back to the wall as quickly as I could.”

— Cole Johnson

What’s next

Georgia will return to action Tuesday afternoon when the Bulldogs host The Citadel at Foley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on SEC Network+.

The takeaway

This comeback win showcases the resilience and determination of the Georgia baseball team, who were able to overcome a large early deficit against a ranked SEC opponent to secure an important conference series victory.