The Red and Black

Issue date: 5/25/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: CHARLES-RYAN BARBER Taylor Schlopy's teammates wait for her to reach home plate after hitting the game-tying 3-run home run in Friday's 7-6 victory [Click to enlarge]

Schlopy [Click to enlarge]

Yet another dramatic evening at the UGA Softball Stadium ended with a swarm of black-clad Bulldog softball players losing their minds - and their gloves - after clinching the program's first trip to the Women's College World Series.

The sixth-seed softball team had to come from behind once again to beat No. 11 seed Ohio State on its way to securing a trip to Hall-of-Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Following a five-run fifth inning on Thursday en route to a 6-4 come from behind victory, the Bulldogs outlasted the Buckeyes yet again on Friday by a final score of 7-6. But they did so a little later, waiting until the sixth inning to mount a comeback against Ohio State starting pitcher Kim Reeder.

"I just couldn't be more proud of the team and every single player, coach, and staff member," head coach Lu Harris-Champer said. "I'm just really proud of the team for playing with a lot of heart, a lot of grit, and a lot of pride, and finding a way to win."

In her ninth season at Georgia, Harris-Champer certainly has plenty to be proud of following her team's World Series berth. One player in particular is sophomore centerfielder Taylor Schlopy.

Not only did Schlopy lead the Bulldogs in runs scored, walks, on-base percentage, and stolen bases this season, but she belted the game tying three-run home run in the top of the sixth inning Friday that stole the Buckeye's momentum.

Schlopy has arguably been the nation's most productive leadoff hitter and has handled the pressure of the top spot in the lineup with relative ease.

"I was just really excited to get up and I was so proud of my teammates to get on base before me," Schlopy said. "I just took it one pitch at a time…I just sat back and relaxed and trusted myself."

As Schlopy's home run cleared the right field wall, any doubt that the Bulldogs would eventually plate the go-ahead run seemingly disappeared.

And so, too, did Schlopy's slow-paced home run trot as she sprinted around the bases following the biggest hit of her career.

"I was just really excited, so I sprinted," chuckled Schlopy.

As the Bulldogs prepare for their first trip to the World Series, the importance of Schlopy's bat and attitude should not be lost among the rest of the Georgia roster.

"[Schlopy] has a fantastic eye at the plate and she's a great hitter," Harris-Champer said. "Not only that, she's all heart and all clutch and all about the team. Everybody knows that and I think that's why everybody feeds off her so well at the top of the lineup because they know that she's there for the team."

The Bulldogs will now play the waiting game to see who their next opponent will be as they were the first team to clinch a win in the Super Regionals.

Whichever team Georgia faces in Oklahoma City should expect an unrelenting effort from the Bulldogs-an effort that stems from a mighty leadoff hitter in Taylor Schlopy.

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