The Bulldogs (18-12, 5-4 SEC) are 5-1 in their last two SEC series, sweeping Tennessee in Knoxville and beating seventh-ranked South Carolina in Columbia two games to one. The Commodores are 24-6 overall and lead the SEC with a 7-2 mark in league play. Last week in Nashville, they won two of three over Tennessee.
For the season, Georgia is batting .276 with 27 home runs and has been successful in 41-of-50 stolen base attempts. The team ERA is 4.06 while the Bulldogs own a .972 fielding percentage. Vanderbilt is batting .315 with a 2.80 ERA and fielding .971. The Commodores are 4-2 on the road this year. Georgia leads the all-time series 97-85 over Vanderbilt, however the Commodores have a five-game winning streak over the Bulldogs.
Georgia is 4-2 against top 25 opponents, winning a series from 11th-ranked Florida State last month in Athens and the aforementioned road series over the Gamecocks. Georgia last faced a No. 1 ranked team in 2011, beating South Carolina 4-2 at the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala., and that Bulldog squad would eventually reach the NCAA Regional Final in Corvallis, Ore. The last No. 1 ranked team to come to Foley Field was Arizona to open the 2008 season, and the Wildcats won the series 2-1. The 2008 Georgia squad went on to win the SEC and advance to the College World Series Finals.
Georgia’s leading hitter is sophomore centerfielder Stephen Wrenn (.322-4-17, 16 SB). The speedy Wrenn has reached base safely in all 30 games this season. Junior C/1B Zack Bowers, who ranks among the SEC’s top sluggers, is batting .310-6-20. Senior Jared Walsh, one of the best two-way players in the SEC, is 3-0 with a 1.87 ERA and batting .284-2-16.
Probable Pitching Matchups For UGA-VU Series
Friday at 7:05 pm: UGA junior RHP Sean McLaughlin (3-1, 4.08) vs. VU junior RHP Carson Fulmer (4-1, 1.50)
Saturday at 2:05 pm: UGA junior LHP Ryan Lawlor (3-3, 2.84), LHP, Jr. vs. VU junior RHP Walker Buehler (2-0, 1.93)
Sunday at 12:03 pm: UGA is TBA vs. VU freshman RHP Jordan Sheffield (3-0, 2.52)
Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG College (Jeff Dantzler & David Johnston)
Stations: 960 AM-WRFC and selected affiliates (check your local listings), georgiadogs.com;
Additional Coverage on Twitter: @BaseballUGA
TV: Friday-Saturday (SEC Network +); Sunday (SEC Network)
Friday: 7:05 p.m. (Announcers: Jeff Dantzler, Jason Jacobs)
Saturday: 2:05 p.m. (Radio Simulcast: Announcers: Jeff Dantzler, David Johnston)
Sunday: 12:03 p.m. (Announcers: Clay Matvick, Ben McDonald)
Special Promotions At Foley Field This Weekend
Saturday: Have A Catch in the Outfield following the game
Sunday: First 750 fans receive a red replica hat; (Pregame) Anthem Buddies; (Postgame) Autograph Session with the Bulldogs; Kids Run the Bases
Foley Field Ticket Information For Vanderbilt Series
Gates open @ 5p.m. on Friday; @ Noon on Saturday; @ 10 a.m. on Sunday
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; Note: UGA Student Gate is located off Rutherford Street