When I received a call from Vance Leavy to possibly write a fan column about this year’s historic Georgia baseball season, I was thrilled, honored, surprised … all the feels. I mean Bulldawg Illustrated is the most iconic publication for UGA athletics on the planet! I told Vance, “Man, I’m just a clown who is passionate about the Dawgs! ” Vance laughed and said, “Okay, get me something in three days.” So, here we go—longtime reader, first-time writer.
The 2026 UGA baseball team delivered one of the most exciting, dominant seasons in the program’s 140-year history. My wife and I bought season tickets back in 2001 right after our kids were born, hoping they would grow up to be avid fans. It worked; our kids love UGA baseball. The thrills of the 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2008 College World Series teams created fantastic memories, but this 2026 squad has become my all-time favorite … so far!!
While their achievements are well chronicled, the guys on this team were special. The bond between the players grew stronger as the season progressed. We loved watching the pregame handshake line, with Tre at the end sharing a unique greeting for everyone. It was pure joy watching elite college athletes playing a kids’ game while having fun. Their on-field communication kept them dialed in, and their unselfish excitement for one another was beautiful to watch. Whether someone lined a double or “fed the trees,” the dugout energy was authentic. The synchronized clapping to “Stroke” energized the Foley Field crowd. Coach Wes Johnson made early lineup adjustments, and the Dawgs just started winning.
As we rose in the polls, success fanned the flames inside the Bulldog faithful. We started thinking: Is this the year to win the SEC? Could this team end a 16-year drought and get back to Omaha? Chatter picked up across national outlets. The gameday experience was electric, bringing families out early to watch warmups, grab T-shirt tosses, or win giveaways. I even won a loudest fan giveaway myself—delicious Surcheros!
My favorite “web gem” of the year was freshman Cole Johnson robbing a Tennessee guy of a home run in left. The play became instant Bulldog lore because the Volunteer batter excessively celebrated toward his dugout, thinking he went yard. Cole said, “Not so fast,” and turned him into a Vol in tears.
My three voice losing home run moments were Tre’s dinger against Liberty in the Regionals (iykyk), Daniel Jackson’s bomb against Mississippi State in the Super Regionals. Then came the storybook blast by Captain Kolby in Omaha in his last at-bat as a Dawg. His brother was at second for Oklahoma, grinning ear to ear as Kolby rounded the bases, while the TV broadcast showed tears of joy from their parents. On the pitching side, Volchko carved up Bevo like a Thanksgiving turkey with a 15-strikeout complete game masterpiece over Texas. We watched that one downtown Athens at Paloma Park, and the place was absolutely lit with a pack of lit Dawgs barking frantically!
Sometimes we stuck around after games to congratulate our victorious Dawgs. Seeing our guys graciously sign autographs for kids and take photos with genuine smiles was priceless. This team is full of high character and full of characters! The fun personalities were incredibly endearing: Tre, Kolby, Kenny, Lujo, Newman, et al. The rubber bulldog mask in the dugout after a home run was cool, and then the rhino mask appeared for our “Rhino,” Daniel Jackson. Daniel was the best player in college baseball in 2026! This five-tool, humble hero was pure joy to watch. Daniel and I both actually get our hair cut at University Cuts by Dana, who rocks cutting hair and provides amusing banter.
This season will also be remembered for the meteoric rise of the best Dawg Baseball content creator ever, Hamilton Culpepper, on The Hammy Show. Moving forward, I will forever think of this team whenever I see a Buc-ee’s. The Sour Power Candy Belts from Buc-ee’s were a fun rally call for the team and the fans!
I’m thankful to have watched a few victories from the Foley Field press club or behind home plate, thanks to StuDawg and the Mayor of Milledge. Games at Foley are an awesome experience shared with longtime fellow fans and new found friends alike. The bond of the Bulldog Nation is strong! We went to Truist for the Tech game and to Auburn for the regular-season finale. I didn’t like those “Ls,” but I loved seeing the Dawgs compete on foreign soil. I also loved the Wes Johnson offensive timeouts; something good almost always happened after one of those strategic huddles. Hall of Fame radio legends JD and DJ always add to the excitement of Georgia baseball!
Over the years, I have urged friends to go to the Athens airport to greet our football team back from a road win. Well, I had never done an airport visit for baseball … until this year. Big shout-out to longtime family friend Sam Naeher, the Director of UGA Baseball Operations, who gave me travel details for Omaha. It was fun wishing them well and exciting to welcome them back after their record-shattering season. Coach Johnson, his staff, and the players were so gracious to the fans.
I have a little social media platform @thevoiceofencourageMEANT and I have loved trying to provide encouragement to the Georgia baseball program there and with my presence and my passion at the games during this crazy, cool, memory laden year!
Thank you Vance and the 2026 Georgia Baseball TEAM!
We love you Dawgs!
Let’s do it again next year!