Photo: Greg Poole/Bulldawg Illustrated
GEORGIA BASEBALL WEEKLY REPORT
Record: 15-10 (2-4 SEC); Streak: W1
Last Week’s Results (1-3)
March 22 lost 3-1 to Mercer (Foley Field)
March 24 lost 9-2 at #10 Miss. State
March 25 lost 3-1 at #10 Miss. State
March 26 defeated #10 Miss. State 11-8 in Starkville, Miss.
This Week (4 home game)
March 29 vs. Kennesaw State, 6 pm (Foley Field), SEC Network+
March 31-April 2 vs. #21 Alabama, 7 pm; 7 pm; Noon; SEC Network
Bulldog Notes
Georgia (15-10, 2-4 SEC) returns to Foley Field this week, playing host to Kennesaw State Tuesday and then an SEC series with No. 21 Alabama starting Thursday.
The Bulldogs outlasted 10th-ranked Mississippi State 11-8 this past Sunday to snap a five-game losing streak as the nine-inning affair lasted a school record four hours and 52 minutes. The Owls (8-16) dropped a home series to Towson 2-1 while the Crimson Tide (15-8, 4-2 SEC) won their second straight SEC series, beating Tennessee 2-1 in Tuscaloosa. Alabama opened league play by capturing a road series over No. 6 LSU.
Tuesday’s Georgia-KSU game will be available on SEC Network+ while the SEC Network will televise the entire Alabama series. All Bulldog games are carried on the Georgia Bulldogs Sports Network from IMG.
Georgia enters the KSU game batting .252, scoring an average of 4.9 runs a game while posting an ERA of 4.24. The Owls are batting .291, averaging 6.1 runs a game with a team ERA of 5.56. Alabama is batting .253, scoring 4.5 runs a game and features one of the league’s top pitching staffs with an ERA of 2.47. Alabama faces rival Auburn in Montgomery Tuesday before coming to Athens.
Georgia’s top hitters are junior C/OF Skyler Weber (.321-1-12, 5 SB) and junior CF Stephen Wrenn (.301-0-13, 6 SB) while the home run and RBI leader is sophomore LF Keegan McGovern (.286-5-22). Senior DH/1B Daniel Nichols, who missed all of last week resting a sore back, owns a six-game hitting streak and is batting .264-4-11. He was a bright spot at the plate during the Kentucky series, batting .429 with three home runs and four RBI. Freshman OF Logan Moody (.267-1-6) made a home run saving catch in last Saturday’s road win over No. 10 State, and the play ranked No. 3 on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays that night.
Georgia’s top starting pitcher has been preseason All-America right-hander Robert Tyler (2-1, 2.78 ERA, 45K, 17BB, 32.1IP). He had a no hitter through six innings last Friday versus No. 10 Miss. State and got a no decision after issuing six walks with six strikeouts as State eventually won 3-1 in Starkville. Sophomore left-hander Bo Tucker (3-1, 3.32 ERA, 2 SV, 22K, 8BB, 19IP) is a candidate to join the SEC rotation. Freshman left-hander Kevin Smith (3-1, 4.33 ERA, 23K, 12BB, 27IP) made his SEC debut last Thursday and lost to No. 21 MSU 9-2. He entered the MSU series with a 1.93 ERA, but then State had a seven-run outburst in one frame and that ended his outing. Ultimately, Smith allowed eight runs on 10 hits in 3.2 innings. Freshman left-hander Addison Albright (0-0, 2.16 ERA, 4K, 6BB, 8.1IP) had a successful SEC debut with 4.1 innings of relief at No. 10 Miss. State. He allowed just one run with two strikeouts while sophomore right-hander Blake Cairnes (0-0, 2.93 ERA, 9K, 4BB, 12.1 IP) pitched the ninth this past Sunday for his first career save.
Upcoming Series Fast Facts
In records dating back to 1950, Georgia is 10-8 versus Kennesaw State including a 4-2 road win on March 15. versus Miss. State. Alabama leads the series with UGA 48-33 including winning a series 2-1 last year played at the Hoover Met in Hoover, Ala. The Crimson Tide last visited Athens in 2013, and it swept Georgia. KSU is coached by Mike Sansing, who is now in his 24th year while Alabama’s head coach Mitch Gaspard is in his seventh season at the helm. The Bulldogs are led by Ike Cousins Head Baseball Coach Scott Stricklin, who is in his third season in Athens. Under Stricklin, Georgia is 2-3 against the Owls and 1-2 against Alabama.
TV: SEC Network + (Tues); SEC Network: (Thurs.-Sat.)
Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG College (David Johnston/Jeff Dantzler)
Stations: 960 AM-WRFC and selected affiliates (check your local listings), georgiadogs.com and via the Georgia Bulldogs app and TuneIn app.
Additional Coverage on Twitter: @BaseballUGA
Video Links For Georgia Baseball This Week
Tues vs. Kennesaw State, 6 pm, SECN+ (Jeff Dantzler, David Johnston; 2 camera production)
Thurs. vs. No. 21 Alabama, 7 pm, SECN (Dave Neal, Chris Burke; Full)
Fri. vs. No. 21 Alabama, 7 pm, SECN (Dave Neal, Chris Burke; Full)
Sat. vs. No. 21 Alabama, Noon, SECN (Dave Neal, Chris Burke; Full)
http://es.pn/1XKi5xX
Foley Field Ticket Information
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; Foley Field Ticket Booth opens two hours before game time.
Promotions This Weekend
Saturday: Top Gun Day, First 750 fans receive a free Georgia Top Gun t-shirt; Postgame: Fans are invited to watch movie on the video board; Kids Run the Bases; Autographs with the Bulldogs
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