University of Georgia Athletics
Dog Notes: Freshmen Settling In Quickly
March 01, 2016 | Baseball
By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
Logan Moody didn't look like a freshmen in the top of the eighth inning Tuesday night at Foley Field. The Georgia right fielder sprinted toward the wall on a long drive and made a superb sliding catch on the warning track before colliding with the wall.
It was a stellar play, a veteran play, and one of several made by the Bulldogs' multitude of freshmen in their 10-3 win over Charleston Southern.
"I was really just reacting off the bat and getting a good jump on the ball," said Moody, who started for the sixth time in eight games.
As if it was that simple. Of course Georgia's big group of freshmen is settling right in on the squad and the rookies already are making big contributions. Four were in the starting lineup on opening day and several have been on the field every game since.
Seventeen Dogs played Tuesday, including five true freshmen and two redshirt freshmen, and three true freshmen were in the starting lineup: Moody in right, Adam Sasser at first base and LJ Talley at second. The freshmen combined for three of Georgia's nine hits, four RBIs and one run scored.
Twelve true freshmen have played this season, with six starting at least one game. Freshman catcher Michael Curry had the day off Tuesday, but he's started six games and has played well behind the plate. Coach Scott Stricklin said he likes what he's seeing from his young guys.
"We just want to put them in as many situations as possible," he said after Georgia improved to 5-3 this season. "That's why we moved LJ over to third there late — he's going to have to play there at some point and he's still learning. He's a shortstop [playing second base] and he's still learning to play."
Sasser not only had a hit, an RBI and a run scored, he made numerous good plays at first — error-saving plays. Sasser and fellow true freshman Patrick Sullivan are platooning at first base, each with four starts so far. Sullivan had a pinch-hit RBI single Tuesday that put Georgia up 10-2 in the eighth.
Stricklin said his freshmen duo at first has been "outstanding defensively." Of the entire group, which is off to such a good start, he said: "I think it says a lot about the future of this program. I think the future's very bright."
Sasser said the freshmen were here this summer working out together and then got to go through fall ball together. Both were valuable experiences that have helped them early in the season, he said.
Moody and Sullivan both got hits on opening day, in Georgia's 4-1 win over Georgia Southern. Sasser's first hit, a home run, came Saturday in a 7-6 win over Cincinnati.
"I mean the first game was obviously pretty nerve-wracking but once you get your first at-bat, and especially once you get your first hit, I feel like you can really settle down and just play ball," Sasser said.
McGovern Keeps Hitting
Left fielder Keegan McGovern started 43 games as a freshman last season, batting .268, with three home runs and an on-base percentage of .392 (third on the team). The jump from high school to college ball is immense, he said, "and it just takes a few weeks to learn the game."
McGovern has already hit three homers this season, and his double to right field in the eighth not only drove in Stephen Wrenn, it also kept his hitting streak alive. McGovern has at least one hit in every game this season and is now batting at team-high .364.
"I'm just trying to come out here and put a good swing on a pitch that I can hit, and try not to swing at those that are low in the dirt," he said.
What's Next?
The Bulldogs and Buccaneers (4-4) will be back at Foley Field on Wednesday for the final game of their mid-week series. First pitch is at 5 p.m.
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
