ATHENS—-The 20th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs return to Foley Field Friday for an SEC series with the Tennessee Volunteers. All three games will be carried on SEC Network+ and the Bulldog Sports Network from IMG. Game times are 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.
Here are a few notes on the Bulldogs and Volunteers:
*Georgia (28-13, 10-8 SEC) just became the first SEC team this year to play an 11-game stretch against ranked opponents, and the Bulldogs went 5-6. This week, the Bulldogs play four straight games against unranked teams for the first time since late March. Georgia clinched the season series with Ga. Tech this past Wednesday by posting an 8-3 victory. Last week in league play, Georgia dropped a road series 2-1 to No. 7 Ole Miss while the Vols (24-19, 7-11 SEC) claimed a home series 2-1 over No. 14 Texas A&M. Georgia is 19-4 at home and 9-10 away from Foley Field this year. UT is 6-8 on the road. In records dating back to 1950, UT leads the all-time series 115-102 but Georgia has won six of the last seven series.
* With a No. 5 RPI according to the NCAA and a 28-13 record, Georgia is having its best season since 2009 when that club was 32-9 after 41 games, advanced to an NCAA Regional and finished 38-24. The Bulldogs are tied for second (with Vanderbilt) in the SEC Eastern Division behind top-ranked Florida (34-9, 14-4 SEC). Ole Miss (32-9) and Arkansas (28-13), both ranked in the top, lead the West with a 10-8 mark. The Bulldogs are in their fifth year of the Scott Stricklin era while UT’s head coach Tony Vitello is in his first season. Georgia’s last NCAA appearance came in 2011 when it finished 33-32.
* The Bulldogs are averaging 6.4 runs a game while batting .281 with a 3.54 ERA and a .979 FLDG%. Georgia is on pace to set a school record for Fielding Percentage (school record is .978 in 2012), and the Bulldogs are leading the league in fielding in SEC action at .984. Georgia’s 3.54 ERA is the best since 1967 (3.26). The last team to post a sub 4.00 ERA came in 2015 (3.96). Georgia’s pitching staff has six shutouts, the most since 2006 when it had eight. The school record is 13 set by the 1908 club with eight ranking second. The SEC rotation for the UT series will feature Chase Adkins (3-0, 3.68), Emerson Hancock (4-3, 4.14) and Ryan Webb (1-5, 4.32). Adkins has posted a 1.56 ERA over his last three starts but has not factored in a decision in that span.
*Georgia’s top hitters have been senior outfielder Keegan McGovern (.329-12-37), who has been named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List, junior designated hitter Michael Curry (.314-7-38) and junior first baseman Adam Sasser (.310-4-28). McGovern has reached base safely in 29 consecutive games. Sasser and redshirt freshman catcher Mason Meadows have been the team’s leading hitters in SEC action at .333.
* Georgia’s lineup also features sophomore third baseman/closer Aaron Schunk (.315-1-28; 1-0, 2.37 ERA, 6 SV). He has started all 41 games at third base and in 12 appearances spanning 19 innings, he has 21 strikeouts and only three walks. He is 6-for-7 in save chances. Schunk has posted one of the longest hitting streaks in the SEC this season at 16 games. Currently, he has a nine-game hitting streak and is coming off a career-tying 4-hit game in the win over Tech Wednesday. During the streak, he is batting .417 (15-for-36) with eight RBI.
*On Saturday, the Bulldogs will hold their annual Lettermen’s Day with a recognition of the 2008 College World Series Finalists as they celebrate the 10-year anniversary of that special season. The 2008 squad went 45-25-1, won the SEC (20-9-1) and featured a pair of first round draft picks in Gordon Beckham (SS) and Joshua Fields (RHP). Both Bulldogs reached the Major Leagues and remain active. Fields is a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers and is 2-0 with an 0.82 ERA and 1 save in 11 games this year. Beckham, who has logged nine years in the Majors mostly with the White Sox, currently is playing for Seattle’s Triple-A club in Tacoma and batting .320-1-7 in 14 games.
Pitching Matchups: UGA vs. UT
Fri. at 7 pm ET: Chase Adkins (3-0, 3.68 ERA), RHP, Sr. vs. Sean Hunley (6-0, 1.90), RHP, Fr.
Sat. at 2 pm ET: Emerson Hancock (4-3, 4.15 ERA), LHP, Fr. vs. Garrett Stallings (4-4, 3.99), RHP, So.
Sun. at 1 pm ET: Ryan Webb (1-5, 4.32 ERA), LHP, Fr. vs. Will Neely (4-1, 3.59), RHP, Jr.
Television/Radio
TV: Friday-Sunday—SEC Network+ (Matt Stewart & Jason Jacobs)
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/Promotions/Reminder Clear Bag Policy
-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
Promotions
Saturday: The first 750 fans receive a 2008 Georgia replica jersey
Saturday: Lettermen Day: Georgia will recognize former Bulldog baseball lettermen including the 10-year anniversary of the 2008 SEC Championship team that reached the College World Series Finals
Sunday: The first 1,000 fans receive a Georgia mini-bat keychain
Sunday: Anthem Buddies: Kids can stand on the field with the Bulldogs during the national anthem
Sunday Postgame: Kids Run The Bases, Play Catch In The Outfield