The Diamond Dawgs took a crushing series loss last weekend, falling to current No. 18 Alabama. Georgia falls to No. 10 in D1Baseball’s rankings while dropping to No. 4 in Perfect Game and Baseball America’s rankings. In the latter two polls, Georgia held the No. 1 spot before falling to the Crimson Tide. Despite the loss, the Bulldogs still control their own destiny.

The loss was crushing, especially considering the circumstances. Inclement weather throughout the weekend caused delays among series across the Southeast, but no series was quite affected like the Georgia/Alabama series. 

The Diamond Dawgs overpowered the Tide in game one on Friday, winning 19-3 in a seven inning mercy rule. Saturday’s game was moved to Friday night thanks to forecasted rain. Come Friday evening, the rain arrived early. After jumping to an early 2-0 lead, Alabama bounced back and took a 4-2 lead Friday evening. A 70-minute rain delay was enforced and an eventual suspension pushed the game to Sunday. 

After resuming Sunday morning, Georgia scored just one more run, and the Crimson Tide claimed game two 9-3. 

Again, thanks to the weather, Sunday’s later game shortened to a seven inning game with more inclement weather in the forecast that afternoon. The Diamond Dawgs never got into a groove, and Alabama vanquished the series with a 5-4 victory. 

Here’s my opinion: If game three were a full nine innings, I feel Georgia could have rallied late to take down the Tide and get another SEC series win. 

Here’s the facts: The series loss hurts, but Georgia still has everything in front of them.

With the final series of the regular season looming, Georgia can seal SEC Tournament seeding and national seeding. The Bulldogs can get a top four seed in the SEC Tournament, earning a double-bye with a series sweep. A series win will most likely secure a top eight national seed, good enough to host a Super Regional. However, winning just two out of three would most likely cost Georgia one of those coveted top four spots in the conference tournament. 

Tre Phelps went 7-for-14 (.500) in the Alabama series. The sophomore superstar battled an injury throughout the middle of the regular season, but his late surge can be the spark for this Georgia offense. We have all seen how explosive this offense can with big time bats coming from Robbie Burnett, Devin Obee, Slate Alford and Ryland Zaborowski.

Pair offensive dominance with a pitching staff that has turned their ship around, and this Diamond Dawgs squad will be dangerous in the SEC Tournament and beyond.

For now, it’s onto the next with the final home stand against Texas A&M. The series begins Thursday at 6 p.m.