Georgia (18-2) is riding a nine-game winning streak and is off to its best start since 2009 (19-2). Tuesday’s game will feature the same pitching matchup as last week with Georgia junior RHP Tim Elliott(2-1, 0.50 ERA) going against Panthers junior Tyler Koch (0-2, 10.95 ERA). Elliott picked up the win, going six innings and allowing just one unearned run on one hit with two strikeouts. Offensively for the Bulldogs in the victory, LJ Talley had a home run and 3 RBI, Patrick Sullivan collected three hits and an RBI while Aaron Schunk had a pair of hits, an RBI and a save.
Georgia went 4-0 last week including sweeping its first-ever three-game SEC series in Columbia over No. 22 South Carolina. It marked the sixth straight series win over the Gamecocks and the second consecutive sweep. It was the first time that USC had been swept in Columbia since 2013. Meanwhile, the Panthers went 2-1 against Appalachian State in Sun Belt action. Georgia redshirt freshman 1B/OF Chaney Rogers (.250-0-1) has an older brother, Jake, who is a senior pitcher on the Georgia State squad. Jake is in the weekend rotation and is 1-3 with a 6.43 ERA. Chaney has appeared in 14 games with six starts for the Bulldogs.
In 2019, Georgia has relied on outstanding pitching and defense plus timely hitting. Georgia’s pitching staff has a 2.59 ERA, and the starters have been exceptional. Bulldog starters have combined to go 14-1 with a 2.10 ERA, and the only loss came 1-0 on an unearned run versus LIU Brooklyn on Feb. 26. Elliott was the tough luck losing pitcher that day.
After the first week of SEC action, Georgia is one of four undefeated squads and leads the Eastern Division by two games. Georgia is batting .300 (3rd in SEC) with a .421 on base percentage (2nd in SEC), a 2.59 ERA (6th in SEC) and a .978 fielding percentage (4th in SEC). Before this past weekend, Georgia’s last SEC road sweep of a top 25 team came in 2004 against No. 16 Florida. Georgia’s last 3-0 start in league play came in 2007 when it swept Auburn in Athens.
Georgia junior returning All-American Aaron Schunk, who is one of the nation’s top two-way talents, is the NCAA and SEC co-leader with seven saves while batting .321-4-18 in 20 starts at third base. He is one of six players nationally to have seven saves, the other SEC player is Nolan Crisp (Florida). Senior All-SEC 2B LJ Talley (.403-4-15) is enjoying his finest campaign, leading the Bulldogs in just about every offensive category including a .625 slugging percentage and .a 506 on base percentage with just one error in 73 total chances. His. 403 batting average ranks 3rd in the SEC. Redshirt sophomore RFRiley King (.364-3-22) ranks second on the team in batting and RBI. Junior SS Cam Shepherd (.267-1-11) leads the SEC with 22 walks. Junior OF Tucker Maxwell leads the team with five home runs, 25 RBI and nine stolen bases while batting .333.
In the national polls, Georgia moved up three spots to No. 5 in the D1Baseball.com top 25. Also, the Bulldogs are ranked No. 8 by USA Today/Coaches, No. 9 by Collegiate Baseball and No. 11 by Baseball America.
On Friday at 7 p.m., Georgia resumes SEC play with No. 11 LSU (15-5, 3-0 SEC) at Foley Field. Please note Saturday’s game is already sold out. For the Saturday, March 23rd game, Georgia will hold its inaugural Foley Fest. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, fans in the parking lot next to Foley Field will be treated to live music featuring Todd Cowart and the Blank Canvas, interactive games and activities plus there will be food tents.
Television/Radio
TV: SEC Network+: (Matt Stewart & Jason Jacobs)
Tues. Streaming Link: 1st pitch at 5:02 p.m.: http://www.gado.gs/1y9
Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG College (David Johnston & Jeff Dantzler)
Stations: 960 AM-WRFC and selected affiliates (check your local listings), also via the Georgia Bulldogs app and TuneIn app.
Additional Coverage on Twitter: @BaseballUGA
Tickets
-Foley Field – Gates/Ticket Booth open 2 hours before first pitch.
-Reserved Seat Tickets: $8; General Admission Tickets: $5
-Order online or by calling 1-877-542-1231
-UGA Student Tickets: Free Admission with valid UGA Student ID Card
-UGA Student Gate is located off Rutherford Street