University of Georgia Athletics
Diamond Dogs Host Archrival Florida In Weekend Series
March 29, 2007 | Baseball
Georgia (10-14 overall, 3-3 SEC) vs. Florida (15-13, 4-2 SEC)
Fri., March 30 vs. Florida, 6 p.m. ET
Sat., March 31 vs. Florida, 1:06 p.m. ET (CSS-TV)
Sun., April 1 vs. Florida, 2:06 p.m. ET (COX-TV)
Bulldogs Aim To Continue Offensive Outburst Against Florida
A quick look at the numbers for the upcoming Georgia-Florida SEC series, and one might raise the question, will good pitching top good hitting? Florida boasts a .476 slugging percentage compared to .376 by the Bulldogs. Florida is batting .301 versus the Bulldogs' .273 while Georgia's ERA is 3.41 compared to the Gators 4.63. In the SEC, Georgia's ERA is 3.88 compared to Florida's 8.18 while the Gators own a .336 SEC batting average versus Georgia's .259.
Georgia (10-14, 3-3 SEC) boosted its offensive numbers following a 17-1 rout of Furman this past Wednesday. Georgia collected a season-high 20 hits (six for extra bases including three home runs) and snapped a three-game losing streak. Both Georgia and Florida (15-13, 4-2) have swept Auburn this season. The Gators, who are directed by Pat McMahon, posted their sweep last weekend in Auburn while the Bulldogs were swept at Tennessee. Georgia hit only .259 in the UT series, left 31 men on base and carded a 6.00 ERA. Florida opened up league play by dropping two of three to Miss. State in Gainesville while Georgia swept the Tigers. Florida's 5-3 win over Bethune Cookman last Tuesday gave them a season-high four-game winning streak.
Georgia's SEC rotation will be sophomore LHP Nathan Moreau (2-0, 3.03 ERA), sophomore RHP Stephen Dodson (1-3, 1.75 ERA) and freshman LHP Justin Earls (2-1, 2.88 ERA). Dodson replaces sophomore Trevor Holder (0-2, 5.04 ERA) in the rotation. The Gators will go with junior RHP Bryan Augenstein (2-3, 4.50 ERA), freshman LHP Tony Davis (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and freshman RHP Billy Bullock (2-3, 5.23 ERA). Saturday's matchup will the first career SEC start for Dodson and the first career start for Florida's Davis.
Georgia has settled on its everyday lineup for now, and it features as many as five freshmen hitters. The Bulldogs will go with senior Jonathan Wyatt in centerfield, junior Matt Olson in right field and freshman Matt Cerione in left field. The infield consists of freshman Rich Poythress at first base, freshman Mike Freeman at second base, sophomore Gordon Beckham at shortstop, junior Ryan Peisel at third base and freshman Joey Lewis at catcher. The DH will be either senior right-handed hitter Matt Robbins or freshman left-handed hitter Luke Stewart. This lineup made its debut in the 17-1 win over Furman this past Wednesday. The batting order featured Wyatt, Peisel, Beckham, Olson, Poythress, Stewart, Lewis, Cerione and Freeman. With the 20-hit game, Georgia improved its batting average to .273, the highest mark it has been in a month.
In records dating back to 1950, the Gators lead the series 149-72-2. Georgia swept the Gators last year in Gainesville, winning 7-0, 9-3 and 9-6. Florida won the 2005 series here 2-1. In fact, in Florida's last two trips to Athens, the Gators have dropped the opener and then come back to win the series. These two matchups are the only two league series in the David Perno era (began in 2002) that Georgia has failed to win after taking game one.
Georgia will make its first two television appearances of the season in this series as Saturday's game will be televised by CSS at 1:06 p.m. while Sunday's game will be on COX starting at 2:06 p.m.
A Look At The Gators
Florida's potent lineup is headlined by the reigning NCBWA National Hitter of the Week and SEC Player of the Week in senior Matt LaPorta (.416-9-23). In the sweep of Auburn, he batted .538 (7-for-13) with seven RBI, three home runs, three doubles and was hit four times. Florida hitters have been plunked 47 times (14 for LaPorta) compared to Georgia's 17. Senior outfielder Brian Leclerc has been even better than LaPorta in SEC action. Leclerc is batting .630 (17-for-27) with 12 RBI while LaPorta is batting .542 (13-for-24) with three home runs, 11 runs scored and seven RBI.
On the mound, Florida's starters are 8-10, and the bullpen has been fairly solid at 7-3 with a 3.87 ERA and five saves. Florida ranks last in the SEC in fielding at .953 but it has only one multiple-error game in the past seven contests.
Baseball Ticket/Promotions Information:
Tickets: Reserved Seats ($6) Gen. Admission Adult ($6) Gen. Admission Youth ($3) UGA Students - FREE ADMISSION with UGA ID - Student Gate is located on the 3rd baseline
. Available online www.georgiadogs.com
. Foley Field Ticket Window - Friday, March 30 4:00pm-through the 4th Inning
. Foley Field Ticket Window - Saturday, March 31 11:00am-through the 4th Inning
. Foley Field Ticket Window - Sunday, April 1 NOON-through the 4th Inning
PROMOTIONS SCHEDULED FRIDAY:
. UGA Student Camo Night - First 300 UGA Students receive FREE Georgia Baseball camouflage t-shirts
. UGA Faculty/Staff Night - Show your UGA Faculty/Staff ID Card at the ticket window on gameday to receive two general admission tickets for the price of one
PROMOTIONS SCHEDULED SUNDAY:
. Hairy Dawg will be in attendance!
. SEC Shutout Sunday - If the Bulldogs record a shutout, one lucky fan will win $2,500!
