ATHENS, Ga. --- Another late game rally, this time a five-run sixth inning, erased a four-run deficit and the Georgia softball team earned its first trip to the Women’s College World Series with a 7-6 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in Game 2 of the Athens Super Regional Friday night in front of 871 fans and an ESPN2 national television audience.

The No. 6 national seed Bulldogs advance into the World Series by virtue of winning two of the best of three series. Georgia defeated No. 11 national seed Ohio State 6-4 Thursday night.

Georgia senior Christie Hamilton came on in relief to earn the win, moving her record to 24-8 on the season. Ohio State’s Kim Reeder saw her record fall to 26-6 on the season with the loss.

“I am proud of the hard work that the team, staff and everyone around this program have put in,” Georgia head coach Lu Harris-Champer said. “To beat a great team such as Ohio State, you have to work hard to get the win. We are going to enjoy our success tonight and get back to work and go get after it.”

Georgia (44-10) began the scoring in the top of the first. Sophomore Taylor Schlopy (2-for-3) and sophomore Alisa Goler walked to begin the game, then sophomore Megan Wiggins was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Sophomore Brianna Hesson (2-for-4) then singled to left to score Schlopy to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

Ohio State (47-11) was quick to respond in the bottom half. Buckeye leadoff hitter Dee Dee Hillman reached on an infield single, then two batters later Sam Marder walked. Another walk to Whitney Cooper loaded the bases for Courtney Pruner, who hit her second home run of the series, this one of the four RBI variety, to give the Buckeyes a 4-1 first-inning advantage.

The Buckeyes added to that lead in the bottom of the third. Alicia Herron reached on a hit-by-pitch and advanced to second on a walk to Pruner. Herron rounded third and scored when Tory Haddad (2-for-3) singled to center, making the score 5-1. Two batters later, Rachael Shepherd doubled down the left field line, scoring Pruner from second to give Ohio State a 6-1 advantage.

Georgia began its comeback in the top of the fourth inning. Senior Kristin Schnake (2-for-4) reached on a fielder’s choice, the moved to second on a groundout to third by freshman Lisaira Daniels. Schlopy then singled Schnake home from second to make the score 6-2.

Georgia then completed its comeback in the top of the sixth inning. Freshman Tori Moody led off the inning with a solo home run to center cutting the lead to 6-3. Schnake reached on a bunt single, then moved to third after Daniels bunt single and an error by the first baseman. With runners at the corners, Schlopy cracked a 3-1 pitch over the right field fence to tie the game at six.

With two outs in the same inning, after Goler was intentionally walked and freshman Brittany Hubbard was inserted as a pinch runner, Hesson doubled to left center, scoring Hubbard from first to give Georgia its first lead of the game, and ultimately the series-clinching score, 7-6.

Through the two-game series, Ohio State outscored the Bulldogs 10-2 through the first four innings, while Georgia maintained an 11-0 edge in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

The Women’s College World Series will be held on Oklahoma City, Okla., May 28-June 3. The Bulldogs are the first team to punch their ticket to the World Series; the remaining seven slots in the World Series will be determined during the weekend.