After steamrolling their way through the first two games of the Athens Regional, the Georgia Bulldogs ran into a buzz saw in the Duke Blue Devils Monday afternoon at Foley Field in Athens. The Bulldogs came into the game needing just one win to advance to the Super Regionals, which would also be held in Athens.
The Blue Devils, who were just one loss away from going home for the summer, had other plans.
Duke defeated Georgia twice, 8-5 in game one then 8-4 in game two. Coffee’s Keegan McGovern, who had feasted on opposing pitchers in the first two games, couldn’t do anything against Duke. He was 0-7 with a walk in Monday’s two games. In particular, game two starter Mitch Stallings, a lefty, seemed to have McGovern’s number. The senior left fielder wasn’t much of a factor, save for robbing a Blue Devil of an extra base hit in the top of the eighth of game two.
It was a tough way for the season to end for the Bulldogs and McGovern. There is a bright spot for McGovern; the 2018 MLB Draft began Monday night and will play out over three days this week. It’s not a matter of if McGovern will get drafted but when. Stay tuned for news on his draft status.