All three games will be televised on ESPN3 as well as the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network. Please note Sunday’s game will be broadcast on WGAU 1340 AM due to Georgia women’s basketball.
The Bulldogs (6-1), under the direction of coach Scott Stricklin, are fresh off a series win over 11th-ranked Florida State in Athens this past weekend followed by a shutout of Presbyterian last Tuesday. A Wednesday game with nationally ranked Kennesaw State was postponed due to weather. Last Friday, Georgia dropped the opener to the Seminoles 7-5, leaving the bases loaded in the ninth as the game ended on a pickoff at first. The Bulldogs responded by sweeping a doubleheader, winning 4-1 and 10-5, and then blanking the Blue Hose 3-0 to enter the GSU series on a three-game winning streak. The Eagles are 5-4 after falling twice during midweek contests. Georgia Southern lost a pair of one-run decisions as the Citadel edged GSU 3-2 Tuesday and North Florida recorded a 5-4 victory.
Georgia leads the all-times series with GSU 49-41-1 as it dates back to 1972. In the last meeting, the Eagles claimed a series to open the 2014 campaign in Athens. After snow pushed back the opener, the teams split a doubleheader (GSU 9-3; UGA 11-3). Then, GSU cruised in game three 18-4.
Georgia ranks among the SEC leaders offensively at .346-9-56. Last year, Georgia hit just .256 with 13 home runs. This season, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 61-19. Also, Georgia sports a 1.86 ERA with 73 strikeouts and 24 walks on the year. In 2014, Georgia’ ERA was 4.33. The Bulldogs have made just four errors on the year (two by pitchers) for a .984 Fielding Percentage compared to .966 last year.
The Bulldogs have three regulars hitting at least .400 in sophomore centerfielder Stephen Wrenn (.423-0-5), sophomore third basemanTrevor Kieboom (.421-1-4), and junior C/1B/DH Zack Bowers (.409-2-7). Kieboom and freshman left fielder Keegan McGovern hit .500 in the FSU series. For the year, McGovern has a team-best .577 on-base percentage with seven walks and only one strikeout. Against FSU, senior first baseman/pitcher Jared Walsh hit .333 with a home run and six RBI plus made a two-inning relief appearance. Sophomore right fielder Skyler Weber (.320-0-7) has hit safely in all seven games this year and nine games total dating back to the 2014 season.
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Georgia’s weekend rotation versus #11 FSU went 2-0 with a 2.76 ERA, 25 strikeouts and eight walks in 16.1 innings. Junior LHP Ryan Lawlor and junior RHP David Sosebee earned victories while sophomore RHP Robert Tyler did not get a decision. Lawlor tied his career-high with 10 strikeouts in only six innings against the Seminoles. For the year, Lawlor is 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts, holding opponents to a .195 batting average. Senior RHP Jared Cheek notched his first save as the bullpen combined for a 2.54 ERA (3 ER in 10.2 IP) with 12 strikeouts. Sophomore RHP Drew Moody collected six of those strikeouts in two appearances covering three innings. Sophomore LHP Connor Jones picked up his first career save in Tuesday’s win over PC. He entered the game in the ninth with two outs and the bases loaded.
Probable Pitching Matchups For UGA-GSU Series
#22 Robert Tyler (1-0, 3.48), RHP, So. vs. #14 Evan Challenger (1-0, 1.86), LHP, RSo.
#18 Ryan Lawlor (2-0, 2.25), LHP, Jr. vs. #40 Tripp Sheppard (0-1, 8.31), RHP, Sr.
#30 David Sosebee (2-0, 1.64), RHP, Jr. vs. #36 Connor Simmons (1-0, 2.00), LHP, Fr.
Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG College
Play-by-Play: Jeff Dantzler & David Johnston
Stations: 960 AM-WRFC and selected affiliates (check your local listings), georgiadogs.com; Sunday’s game on WGAU 1340AM
TV: ESPN3
ESPN3 Link For Georgia-Ga. Southern Series
Friday at 6 pm
Saturday at 2 pm
Sunday at 1 pm