Due to the threat of inclement weather Sunday, 18th-ranked Georgia and 11th-ranked Kentucky will conclude an SEC baseball series here Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m. There is no change to game one of the series on Friday.
“A Saturday ticket is good for both games of the doubleheader. Fans holding tickets for the Sunday game may exchange those for general admission tickets to any remaining home baseball game during the 2018 season, pending availability.”
ATHENS—- The 18th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs play host to 11th-ranked Kentucky Friday in a key SEC series at Foley Field. First pitch will be at 7:02 p.m. and be available on SEC Network+ and the Bulldog Sports Network from IMG. Saturday’s game will begin at 7:02 pm (SECN) while Sunday the series concludes with first pitch slated for 12:02 pm (SECN).
Georgia’s Ike Cousins head baseball coach Scott Stricklin has the Bulldogs off to their best start in nine years. After 33 games, the Bulldogs mark of 24-9 is the best since the 2009 club roared out a 27-6 start. Georgia is ranked as high as No. 10 this week in the top 25 polls while Kentucky (23-10) checks in as high as No. 8. In the latest NCAA Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), the Bulldogs are No. 7 and the Wildcats are No. 20. Earlier this week, Georgia defeated No. 8 Clemson at SRP Park in North Augusta, S.C., while Kentucky dispatched Western Carolina 7-5 in Cullowhee, N.C.
Georgia’s SEC rotation for the UK series will feature senior RHP Chase Adkins (3-0, 4.35), freshman RHP Emerson Hancock (3-2, 3.80) and LHP Ryan Webb (1-3, 4.54).
Bulldog sophomore two-way standout Aaron Schunk (.287-0-21; 1-0, 0.55 ERA, 5 SV, 16.1 IP, 1BB, 19K), who has been named a 2nd Team Mid-Season All-American by a couple of outlets, has started all 33 games at third base and serves as the closer. In SEC action on the mound, Schunk has four saves in five appearances, spanning 8.2 innings with one walk and 11 strikeouts. The only other infielder/closer in the SEC is LSU’s Austin Bain (.282-2-18; 1-1, 2.31 ERA, 3 SV, 11.2 IP). Also of note, Schunk has had the longest hitting streak by a Bulldog this year at 16 games. Sophomore Tucker Bradley was a two-way player briefly last year while the last Bulldog to do it an entire season was 1B/LHP Jared Walsh in 2015. Walsh appeared in 43 games as a hitter, batting .306-3-22 plus made 14 appearances on the mound with three starts, going 5-2 with a team-best 2.60 ERA in 55.1 innings.
Senior LF Keegan McGovern (.364-10-31) has been named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List, USA Baseball announced this past Tuesday. He ranks among the SEC leaders in numerous offensive categories. He is enjoying a career year, however he’s been sidelined the past 2.5 games after tweaking his back. He could return for the UK series. McGovern entered his final season as a career .274 hitter with 11 home runs. UK boasts two outfielders among the 40 on the Golden Spikes Midseason Watch List. They are senior Luke Heyer (.358-13-40) and junior Tristan Pompey (.358-5-28). Junior designated hitter Michael Curry (.336-7-36), McGovern and Schunk are posting All-SEC caliber seasons. In SEC action, Curry is batting .319-2-9 while McGovern is at .289-2-7. Redshirt freshman catcher Mason Meadows leads the team in conference play, batting .333-1-6. McGovern has a streak of 21 consecutive games reaching base while Curry’s 21-gamer ended last Saturday.
The Bulldogs are batting .284 as a team while they have an ERA of 3.52 and a fielding percentage of .978. In SEC action, Georgia’s numbers are .267 in batting, 4.02 ERA and an SEC-best .984 fielding percentage. The Wildcats are one of the top offensive teams in the nation, batting an SEC-best .319 (4th in NCAA) with 56 home runs (3rd in NCAA).
SEC Pitching Matchups: Georgia vs. Kentucky
Friday at 7 pm ET: Chase Adkins (3-0, 4.35), RHP, Sr. vs. Sean Hjelle (5-2, 2.86), RHP, Jr.
Saturday at 7 pm ET: Emerson Hancock (3-2, 3.80), RHP, Fr. vs. Zach Haake (1-2, 7.03), RHP, Jr.
Sunday at Noon ET: Ryan Webb (1-3, 4.54), LHP, Fr. vs. Justin Lewis (6-2, 5.24), RHP, Jr.
Television/Radio
TV: Friday (SECN+: Matt Stewart & Jason Jacobs); Sat.-Sun.–SEC Network (Dave Neal & Ben McDonald)
Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG College (David Johnston & Jeff Dantzler)
Stations: 960 AM-WRFC and selected affiliates (check your local listings), also via the Georgia Bulldogs app and TuneIn app.
Additional Coverage on Twitter: @BaseballUGA
Tickets/Promotions/Reminder Clear Bag Policy
-Foley Field – Gates/Ticket Booth open 2 hours before first pitch.
-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
-UGA Student Gate is located off Rutherford Street
Promotions
Friday: The first 1,000 fans receive a Georgia Baseball 1990 replica hat; Coach Petros Kyprianou, who led Georgia to the 2018 NCAA Track & Field Indoor Championship, will throw out the First Pitch.
Saturday: The first 1,000 fans receive a Georgia Baseball Lanyard
Sunday: Anthem Buddies: Kids can stand on the field with the Bulldogs during the national anthem
Sunday Postgame: Get Autographs From the Bulldogs, Kids Run The Bases, Play Catch In The Outfield