University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Takes Aim At Arkansas And SEC Tournament Spot
May 13, 2015 | Baseball
The Georgia baseball team hosts Arkansas this week with big SEC Tournament implications on the line.
May 13, 2015
ATHENS -- Georgia looks to secure a spot in the 12-team SEC Tournament as the Bulldogs play host to 20th-ranked Arkansas at Foley Field starting Thursday at 7:05 p.m.
The Bulldogs are 25-26 overall, 9-17 in the SEC while the Razorbacks are 31-19 overall and 15-11 in the SEC. All three games of the series will be on SEC Network+. Georgia's rotation will be junior RHP David Sosebee (3-3, 3.23 ERA) on Thursday and junior LHP Ryan Lawlor (5-6, 3.31 ERA) on Friday. Senior Day will be Saturday and the starter is TBA. Offensively, Georgia is led by sophomore centerfielder Stephen Wrenn, an All-SEC candidate, who is batting .329 with eight home runs, 28 RBI and 25 stolen bases. In his last five games, junior 1B/DH Daniel Nichols (.305-6-32) is batting .450 (9-for-20) with two home runs and 11 RBI. Georgia will recognize its five seniors (Jared Cheek, Taylor Hicks, Brandon Stephens, Jared Walsh and Zach Waters) and one senior student manager (Patrick Liber) before Saturday's game.
Georgia is batting .271 with 40 home runs with 59 stolen bases. The Bulldogs have a 3.95 ERA and are fielding .972. Georgia's bullpen has pitched 18.2 scoreless innings dating back to the final game of the Florida series on May 3. The Bulldogs are coached by Scott Stricklin who notched his 400th career victory last Sunday in the series-clinching win over Kentucky in Lexington. On Tuesday, Georgia followed that up with a combined one-hit shutout of Georgia Tech at Turner Field in front of the largest crowd to see an NCAA baseball game this season (18,792). It was the 13th annual Spring Baseball Classic in Atlanta to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and the Bulldogs boast a 9-4 edge in the series played at the home of the Atlanta Braves.
Arkansas, under the direction of Dave Van Horn, arrives in town after a 6-2 win over Creighton at TD Ameritrade Park this past Tuesday. Last weekend, they split a rain-shortened series with Tennessee in Fayetteville. The Razorbacks are batting .293 with 45 home runs and 43 stolen bases. They have a 4.19 ERA and are fielding .979. Arkansas is 16-4 over its last 20 games and has won six consecutive road games. They feature the projected SEC Player of the Year in sophomore outfielder Andrew Beintendi who leads the SEC in batting (.417), home runs (17) and is the national leader in slugging percentage (.780). Arkansas leads the all-time series with Georgia 28-20. They will start junior RHP Trey Killian (2-3, 4.98 ERA) on Thursday and freshman RHP Keaton McKinney (5-1, 3.12 ERA) on Friday. Saturday's starter is TBA.
SEC Tournament Scenario For Georgia
The top 12 teams in the SEC based on winning percentage of conference games only advance to the SEC Tournament. Currently, Georgia at 9-17 in the SEC (.346%) occupies the 12th spot. Tennessee (8-18 SEC, .308%) plays host to Miss. State (8-19 SEC, .296%) and they are 13th and 14th. Thus, Georgia needs to stay ahead of them to earn the final spot.
If Georgia wins two or three games against Arkansas, the Bulldogs will be in the SEC Tournament. If Georgia wins only one game, either UT or MSU would have to sweep to pass Georgia.
The Bulldogs could improve from a #12 seed to as high as a #8 seed based on the other SEC series. The SEC Tournament starts Tuesday, May 19 in Hoover, Ala. with the top four seeds getting byes and the other eight squads in action.
Probable Pitching Matchup For UGA-UA Series
Thursday at 7:05 pm ET: David Sosebee (3-3, 3.23 ERA), RHP, Jr. vs. Trey Killian (2-3, 4.98 ERA), RHP, Jr.
Friday at 7:05 pm ET: Ryan Lawlor (5-6, 3.31 ERA), LHP, Jr. vs. Keaton McKinney (5-1, 3.12 ERA), RHP, Fr.
Saturday at 1:05 pm ET: TBA vs. TBA
Following the Bulldogs During The UA Series
TV: SEC Network+ (Thurs.-Sat.)
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;
Additional Coverage on Twitter: @BaseballUGA
Video Links For UA Series (May 14-16)
Thurs. at 7:05 pm ET on SEC Network+
Fri. at 7:05 pm ET onSEC Network+
Sat. at 1:05 pm ET onSEC Network+
http://es.pn/1H1yBCK
Note: Live streams of all theWatchESPNNetworks are available at no additional cost to fans who receive ESPN as part of their TV subscription through participating TV providers.
To start watching:Download the WatchESPN app.;Select your TV provider when prompted;Enter your TV subscription username and password. For more information on What is Watch ESPN, click below:http://espn.go.com/watchespn/about
Foley Field Ticket Information
Gates open @ 5 pm. on Thursday and Friday; @ 11 am on Saturday
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
Special Promotions At Foley Field For Upcoming Series
Thursday, May 14:
*Alex Wood Bobblehead to the first 1,000 fans.
Friday, May 15:
*Boy Scout Camp Out After The Game
Saturday, May 16:
*Senior Day Recognition for The Bulldogs
*Have a Catch in the outfield for 30 minutes after the game
