Georgia brought in a starting pitcher as a late reliever to protect a one-run lead against top-ranked Texas A&M in the bottom of the eighth. As soon as he took the mound, fans zoomed in with cameras and caught him repeatedly going to a specific spot on his glove behind a pole. His fingers looked sticky, and it seemed like he was applying something before gripping the ball. With the tying run on first and no outs, he gave up a single but then struck out the next batter with a high-ride fastball. That movement caught attention, especially since he kept going to the same glove spot after every new ball following a foul.
Sticky fingers or not, the results piled up. The reliever pumped in fastballs with extra life and mixed in sharp-breaking sliders. Another strikeout followed, then another. His fingers clung to the ball unnaturally long, giving his pitches late movement and added spin. By the time the ninth rolled around, he had found his groove. He retired the side in order with three straight punchouts, all capped by high fastballs jumping through the zone. No foul balls, no signs of struggle, just dominant, overwhelming stuff. Georgia closed it out, and the dugout erupted. Whether he had help from his glove or not, he delivered the save.