(Photo by John Kelley)
Follow Live
The Friday and Sunday games will be broadcasted live on SEC Network Plus and the WatchESPN App. Jeff Dantzler and David Johnston will have the call for all three games on the Georgia Bulldogs Sports Radio Network from IMG and available online through georgiadogs.com.
Probable Starters
Friday 6:05 pm, (UGA) LHP Ryan Lawlor vs. (UM) RHP Reggie McClain
Saturday 2:05 pm, (UGA) RHP Sean McLaughlin vs. (UM) RHP Tanner Houck
Sunday 1:05 pm, (UGA) TBA vs. (UM) RHP Peter Fairbanks
Series Fast Facts
The overall series is tied 3-3 with the visiting team winning the past two years two games to one. Both teams feature strong pitching and defense and look to move runners to produce runs.
In year two under Scott Stricklin’s staff, the Bulldogs have improved at the plate and on the mound. Last year, Georgia had an ERA of 4.33 and hit just .256. With the nucleus of that team back, Georgia boasts a 2.34 ERA and a .308 batting average plus has eclipsed the total number of home runs hit with 17 this year compared to just 13 last season.
The Tigers have a 2.11 ERA and are hitting .245 with 32 stolen bases. Missouri and Georgia rank No. 2 and 3 in the SEC in fielding at .981 and .979.
For the second straight weekend, Georgia will go with junior LHP Ryan Lawlor (2-2, 1.93 ERA) and junior RHP Sean McLaughlin (1-1, 3.44 ERA) for the first two games of a series. Lawlor was the SEC Friday night starter last season while McLaughlin served in that role as a freshman in 2013. Last year, Lawlor tied his career high with 7.2 innings and eight strikeouts but got a no decision against Missouri. McLaughlin only saw action as a DH/OF in the 2014 series but notched his first career SEC win over the Tigers in 2013.
Bulldog senior closer Jared Cheek (1-0, 1.00 ERA, 4 SV) has a win and four saves in nine appearances this year. Tiger junior closerBrecklin Williams (2-0, 0.96 ERA, 5 SV) has allowed just one run in 9.1 innings this year.
Tiger ace Reggie McClain (2-1, 1.84 ERA), who starts Friday, began his career at Georgia where he was redshirted in 2012 before transferring to Manatee CC. He was a prep teammate of McLaughlin at Northview High School.
Bulldogs Seeing It Real Well
Georgia’s leading hitter is junior C/1B Zack Bowers who is on pace for the team triple crown at .365 with an SEC-best six home runs, 13 RBI and 15 walks. Bowers owns a .885 slugging percentage and a .514 on base percentage. He enters SEC play on a seven-game hitting streak, batting .455-3-6 in this stretch.
Sophomore CF Stephen Wrenn (.358-1-11, 9 SB) has reached base safely in all 17 games this season.
Senior 1B/LHP Jared Walsh (.333-1-8; 2-0, 1.00 ERA) has a career-best 13-game hitting streak. On Wednesday, he tossed a career-high seven shutout innings in a 4-0 win over App. State.
Over the last five games, junior SS Nick King (.345-0-5, 8 SB) is batting .563 (9-for-16).
Sophomore RF Skyler Weber (.321-0-12) has a six-game hitting streak.
Upcoming Promotions At Foley Field
Friday, March 13:
*Free T-Shirt: The first 750 fans receive a Georgia Baseball t-shirt.
Saturday, March 14:
*Have a Catch: Fans can play catch in the outfield for 30 minutes after the game
Sunday, March 15:
*Postgame Autograph Session: Get an autograph from your favorite Bulldogs after the game.
*Kids Run The Bases: After the game, kids can run the bases.
Ticket Information
Single game Reserved seats at Foley Field: $8 each; General Admission: $5 apiece and can be purchased online. Georgia ticket office (877-542-1231) between 8:30 am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday. UGA students admitted free with their valid UGA Student ID card. UGA Student Gate is located off Rutherford Street.