[su_spacer size=”40″] LSU holds a 60-23-3 edge over the Bulldogs in records dating back to 1950. Last weekend in the SEC, Georgia dropped a road series to Alabama 2-1 at the Hoover Met while the Tigers claimed a home series over Auburn 2-1. The Bulldogs are 6-3 on the road in the SEC but 0-6 at home after being swept by Missouri and top-ranked Vanderbilt. LSU is 5-4 in SEC home games and 5-1 on the road. The Tigers went 2-1 at Arkansas and swept Alabama, winning two of those contests in extra innings.
[su_spacer size=”40″] LSU won the series over the Bulldogs last year in Baton Rouge, 2-0-1. The Tigers blanked Georgia 4-0 in the opener, clinched the series with a 2-1 victory in game two, and the teams battled to a 2-2 tie in 13 innings before play was halted due to a travel curfew.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia is batting .274 with 29 home runs and is 52-for-62 in stolen base attempts. The Bulldogs have a 4.19 ERA and are fielding .970. LSU is batting .319 with 36 home runs and is 65-for-83 in stolen base attempts. The Tigers own a 3.02 ERA and are fielding .977.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Bulldog sophomore centerfielder Stephen Wrenn (.327-5-21) has reached base safely in all 38 games this season. He is one of the top defensive centerfielders in the SEC. Wrenn’s 20 stolen bases ranks second in the SEC behind LSU’s Alex Bregman who has 22. In SEC action, Wrenn is batting .297-3-7 with nine stolen bases.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Junior first baseman Daniel Nichols (.312-4-20) is riding a career best six-game hitting streak and batting .478 in that stretch (11-for-23 with 3 RBI). Last weekend in the Alabama series, Nichols went 7-for-14 including a double, a triple but only one RBI. In SEC action, Nichols is batting .311-1-9, which trails only freshman left fielder Keegan McGovern at .314-1-5.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Senior catcher Brandon Stephens and senior Jared Walsh are enjoying fine final campaigns. A career .270 hitter, Stephens is batting .323-1-11, which ranks second on the team. His highest season average before this year was .270 as a freshman in 2011. Meanwhile Walsh has proven to be one of the best two-way players in the SEC this year. He has posted a 3-1 record and 2.79 ERA in 10 appearances including six starts plus batted .309-2-18 in 33 games as a LHP/DH/1B/OF. Entering his senior season, Walsh’s career numbers on the mound were 3-5 with a 3.86 ERA and 3 saves and .251-4-36 as a hitter.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Georgia’s rotation for the LSU series will feature junior RHP Sean McLaughlin (3-2, 5.13 ERA) on Friday, junior LHP Ryan Lawlor (4-4, 2.96 ERA) on Saturday. Sunday’s starter is TBA. McLaughlin got a no decision last Friday against Alabama, pitching in to the seventh and departing down 3-1 with a career-high 9 strikeouts. Lawlor (4-4, 2.96 ERA) evened the Alabama series with an 8-1 win. He went seven innings and allowed just one unearned run on four hits with 11 strikeouts. Lawlor has already surpassed his strikeout total from a year ago as he’s got 62 in 48.2 innings. Last year, he finished with 56 strikeouts in 81 innings. Walsh started Sunday but left in the third due to a sore back after allowing five runs on four hits with three walks. He usually serves as the designated hitter in the first two games of an SEC series. LSU’s rotation will feature freshman RHP Alex Lange (6-0, 1.39 ERA), sophomore LHP Jared Poche’ (6-1, 3.11 ERA) and freshman RHP Austin Bain (0-1, 3.29 ERA). [su_spacer size=”40″]
Probable Pitching Matchup For Georgia vs LSU
Friday at 7:05 pm ET: Sean McLaughlin (3-2, 5.13), RHP, Jr. vs. Alex Lange (6-0, 1.39), RHP, Fr.
Saturday at 2:05 pm ET: Ryan Lawlor (4-4, 2.96), LHP, Jr. vs. Jared Poche’ (6-1, 3.11), LHP, So.
Sunday at 1:05 pm ET: TBA vs. Austin Bain (0-1, 3.29), RHP, Fr.
Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG College (Jeff Dantzler & David Johnston)
Stations: 960 AM-WRFC and selected affiliates (check your local listings), georgiadogs.com;
TV: SEC Network+ (Jeff Dantzler; Jason Jacobs)
Additional Coverage on Twitter: @BaseballUGA
[su_spacer size=”40″] SEC Network + Video Links For Georgia vs LSU[su_spacer size=”10″] Friday vs. LSU at 7:05 pm (SEC Network+)
Saturday vs. LSU at 2:05 pm (SEC Network+)
Sunday vs. LSU at 1:05 pm (SEC Network+)
[su_spacer size=”40″]Foley Field Ticket Information (Saturday and Sunday Are Sold Out)
Gates open @ 5p.m. on Friday; @ Noon on Saturday; @ 10 a.m. on Sunday
Tickets Available For Friday’s Game Only: 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
[su_spacer size=”40″]Special Promotions At Foley Field This Weekend
Friday: First 1,250 fans receive snapback hats
Saturday: Have A Catch in the Outfield (Postgame)
Sunday: Anthem Buddies (Pregame); Kids Run the Bases (Postgame); Foley Field Films – Big Hero 6 (Postgame)