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Georgia softball: Alyssa DiCarlo has her moment versus Georgia Tech

By Kyle Funderburk

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 29: Georgia Bulldogs mascot Hairy Dawg poses before the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 29, 2008 in Athens, Georgia. The Yellow Jackets defeated the Bulldogs 45-42. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 29: Georgia Bulldogs mascot Hairy Dawg poses before the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Sanford Stadium on November 29, 2008 in Athens, Georgia. The Yellow Jackets defeated the Bulldogs 45-42. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
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Wednesday night, Georgia softball triumphed over Georgia Tech thanks to a pair of clutch plays by the star slugger and short stop Alyssa DiCarlo.

There aren’t many things in this life that are as sweet as defeating Georgia Tech. It doesn’t matter which sport, they just get so bitter knowing that UGA is better at every sport. Sometimes I get torn though about what kind of defeats are more satisfying; embarrassing blowouts or heart breaking close games?

Wednesday night presented a great case for the latter. Because close games are all about clutch moments that fuel so many emotions no matter how many times you watch them. And often times, those moments seem to revolve around one player.

Alyssa DiCarlo was that player for Georgia softball Wednesday night. Much like Todd Gurley’s dive into the end zone to spark the comeback against Tech in 2013. Or Jonas Hayes in overtime in the unbelievable upset in 2004. DiCarlo supplied a performance that deserves similar recognition.

Before we get to her shining moments, there are others who deserve the spotlight. Gurley had Chris Conely, Hayes had Redshad Wright, Dicarlo had Kendall Burton.

In the bottom of the third inning, with the game tied 0-0, Georgia Tech had two outs with a runner on third. They hit what looked like an easy RBI single into shallow right field, the runner even crossed home plate. But Burton threw the ball quickly to first base to get the final out, and to prevent the run from getting on the scoreboard. The game remained tied until the fifth inning.

That’s when DiCarlo had her first moment. Facing a 2-1 count, she picked her pitch and blasted it over the left field wall. With one swing of a bat and just a few seconds, Georgia had a 1-0 lead in Atlanta. Her biggest moment was yet to come though.

With one out, a low ground ball rolled to DiCarlo for an easy second out. And then, what could only happen in a Georgia vs. Georgia Tech game happened. The ball took a random bounce and hit DiCarlo in the face. Her lip swelled, play stopped for several minutes. But she wasn’t about to go to the dugout in the seventh inning versus Georgia Tech.

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The Yellow Jackets had two outs, a runner on first base and a 3-1 count. The batter found the perfect pitch and hit it up the middle of the field. DiCarlo however, was too quick. She made the stop, stepped on second base and then slung the ball to first base for the game clinching double play.

Just like that, the game had ended with a familiar result. To the delight of Georgia fans and the chagrin of Tech fans, The Bulldogs won again. DiCarlo, having already scored the only run in the game with a home run, made an unbelievable play on a ball just moments after getting hit in the mouth. What better opponent to make those plays against than Georgia Tech?

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