University of Georgia Athletics
Friday Night "Stud" Webb Stands Out Friday Night
April 17, 2021 | Baseball
By Tori Heck
GeorgiaDogs.com Intern
ÂA different sense of urgency settles over the infield when the "stud" is on the mound, senior infielder Garrett Blaylock explained.Â
ÂIt's imperative to play tight defense to back up any pitcher, but it feels especially important when senior LHP Ryan Webb is starting the game.
Â"I think playing at this level, it kind of comes naturally," Blaylock said. "There is a little more sense of urgency to try and make a play behind him because you know he's battling his tail off to keep us in the game."
ÂWebb did "battle his tail off" for 6.2 innings against the Wildcats Friday night. He faced 27 batters, earned eight strikeouts, only walked one batter and gave up five hits and three runs all night.Â
ÂThrowing the first pitch on a Friday night wasn't something Webb ever necessarily worked towards. It's just another start -- just another day to take the field and do his job.Â
ÂHowever, Webb stepping on the mound as a Friday night starter is something head coach Scott Stricklin holds in high regard. Over 9 seasons of coaching in the SEC (eight at Georgia and one at Vanderbilt), Stricklin has learned what it means to be the guy taking the mound under the lights on a Friday night.
Â"Friday night starter in the SEC is a pretty big deal," Stricklin said. "That's just the mentality [Webb] has, and it's his. I mean, he is a legitimate Friday night starter in this League, and again I think he showed it tonight."Â
ÂStricklin said Friday night wasn't an "A+" game for Webb, but that he was very pleased with the way he battled through nearly seven innings.Â
ÂThe Bulldogs did not get the outcome they wanted on their home field Friday night. Simply put: they got beat, Stricklin said. The Bulldogs had 11 hits, but also stranded 11 players on base throughout the game. They were unable to string a series of hits together, often only getting on base when there were two outs. Ultimately, they only yielded one run.Â
ÂWebb was the unwavering leader of his team Friday night. He "did his job," and when he struggled, the infield and outfield stepped in to back him up. Â
Â"[There is a sense of urgency] especially on friday night," Blaylock said. "Emotions are high, you're facing a stud [in Kentucky's Stupp], so [you're] just trying to make plays"
ÂThe Bulldogs take on their second game with Kentucky Saturday afternoon at 7p.m. at Foley Field.
