University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Tony Walsh
Harris Just Getting Started Finishing Games For The Bulldogs
May 17, 2021 | Baseball
By Abby Fletcher, Georgia Sports Communications
After a brief chat with Ben Harris, it's readily apparent the University of Georgia redshirt sophomore left-handed pitcher/outfielder is wise beyond his years.
A 6-1, 195-pound native of Alpharetta, Ga., he was one of the top left-handers in the state coming out of Milton High School in 2018. Harris opted to begin his career at the University of Virginia where he played sparingly his first season. He appeared in six games as a pinch-hitter and pitched once in relief. Baseball was an important part of his life but with time to reflect on the bigger picture, he decided it was time for a change.
"I think one of the biggest things I learned was there was a lot of struggles that went on that first year," said Harris. "The first year of college baseball didn't really go as planned. I had a buddy that really took me alongside him. I learned that life is bigger than baseball. Who I am is more than just a baseball player. A lot of struggles will teach you that really quick. But it was a really good experience."
Harris pondered his next step, and ultimately, it was to the University of Georgia. Due to NCAA rules regarding transfers, he had to sit out the 2020 season. When the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic hit, the 2020 campaign ended in March. Georgia played just 18 games, was ranked No. 2 nationally and was poised to have a special year. Like most programs, the Bulldogs were trying to process what might have been after the season was canceled. For a newcomer like Harris, it presented its own challenges. However, he credits his teammates and coaching staff with giving him plenty of support. Georgia's Ike Cousins head baseball coach Scott Stricklin checked in on Harris periodically.
"I think the only challenging part was not really knowing anyone," said Harris. "But the group of guys that we had - and that kind of tradition has lived on - where everyone is really welcoming and really inviting. It did not take long to get surrounded by a great group of guys. They made that transition a whole lot easier than it could have been."
Harris shined in Georgia's 2020 Fall World Series, providing glimpses of the kind of player he would become in his first season wearing the Red and Black. In the first fall game, he drove in five runs to lead the Red squad to a 6-1 victory, including smashing a grand slam off the scoreboard. He displayed his potential as a two-way player by pitching two innings in the next game. He looked forward to the spring where he would pitch and play in the outfield.
Due to injuries to numerous pitchers, Harris has contributed exclusively on the mound in 2021.
"I love going in the cages and just getting the work in, getting to sit and take swing after swing after swing," said Harris. "I also love the feeling of when you really tag one up well and getting to run around the bases. But it is just fun, I miss it."
Harris has proven to be one of the most reliable members of the staff, excelling in the role of firemen/closer. He leads the team in wins and saves. His first Bulldog victory came in an extra-inning affair against Lipscomb and then his next one came when he provided two scoreless innings with four strikeouts in the team's first SEC win of the year versus No. 10 Tennessee. Harris' saves have come against No. 1 Arkansas in Fayetteville, No. 8 South Carolina and Auburn. Against the Razorbacks, he pitched 2.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Harris took care of the final three innings in a combined two-hit shutout of the Tigers. He was nearly perfect in an extra-inning road win over Missouri, providing four scoreless and hitless innings and a career-high eight strikeouts.
"I love to play baseball, and I grew up coming to these games," said Harris. "I love to be a teammate and to compete."
Behind all the wins and strikeouts, Harris thinks beyond college baseball. Harris is the type of guy who lets his play do most of the talking, but when asked about his faith, he is an open book. He says his religious values were nurtured by a close teammate on the UVA baseball team and that baseball gives him a platform to show that there is more to life than the game of baseball.
"That has been one of the coolest parts of college, one of the coolest things I have learned," said Harris. "Baseball will come and go; but getting to be a part of the lives of a lot of people, be in the locker room, travel, be able to spend time at the hotel, spend time at the field with a bunch of guys, there is a lot more going on than just baseball.
"I think with faith knowing that I have a lot of mistakes, and I have a lot sins that have been paid for, and I didn't have to do anything for, that has opened my eyes that baseball is a good platform to spread the good news that are you not the sum of your worst mistakes, but that you are loved and there is an opportunity to spread joy through that and get to build relationships through that and show that there is a lot more than what the world might see."
Ben Harris cares about his teammates and those around him, and Georgia is fortunate he has returned home.
After a brief chat with Ben Harris, it's readily apparent the University of Georgia redshirt sophomore left-handed pitcher/outfielder is wise beyond his years.
A 6-1, 195-pound native of Alpharetta, Ga., he was one of the top left-handers in the state coming out of Milton High School in 2018. Harris opted to begin his career at the University of Virginia where he played sparingly his first season. He appeared in six games as a pinch-hitter and pitched once in relief. Baseball was an important part of his life but with time to reflect on the bigger picture, he decided it was time for a change.
"I think one of the biggest things I learned was there was a lot of struggles that went on that first year," said Harris. "The first year of college baseball didn't really go as planned. I had a buddy that really took me alongside him. I learned that life is bigger than baseball. Who I am is more than just a baseball player. A lot of struggles will teach you that really quick. But it was a really good experience."
Harris pondered his next step, and ultimately, it was to the University of Georgia. Due to NCAA rules regarding transfers, he had to sit out the 2020 season. When the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic hit, the 2020 campaign ended in March. Georgia played just 18 games, was ranked No. 2 nationally and was poised to have a special year. Like most programs, the Bulldogs were trying to process what might have been after the season was canceled. For a newcomer like Harris, it presented its own challenges. However, he credits his teammates and coaching staff with giving him plenty of support. Georgia's Ike Cousins head baseball coach Scott Stricklin checked in on Harris periodically.
"I think the only challenging part was not really knowing anyone," said Harris. "But the group of guys that we had - and that kind of tradition has lived on - where everyone is really welcoming and really inviting. It did not take long to get surrounded by a great group of guys. They made that transition a whole lot easier than it could have been."
Harris shined in Georgia's 2020 Fall World Series, providing glimpses of the kind of player he would become in his first season wearing the Red and Black. In the first fall game, he drove in five runs to lead the Red squad to a 6-1 victory, including smashing a grand slam off the scoreboard. He displayed his potential as a two-way player by pitching two innings in the next game. He looked forward to the spring where he would pitch and play in the outfield.
Due to injuries to numerous pitchers, Harris has contributed exclusively on the mound in 2021.
"I love going in the cages and just getting the work in, getting to sit and take swing after swing after swing," said Harris. "I also love the feeling of when you really tag one up well and getting to run around the bases. But it is just fun, I miss it."
Harris has proven to be one of the most reliable members of the staff, excelling in the role of firemen/closer. He leads the team in wins and saves. His first Bulldog victory came in an extra-inning affair against Lipscomb and then his next one came when he provided two scoreless innings with four strikeouts in the team's first SEC win of the year versus No. 10 Tennessee. Harris' saves have come against No. 1 Arkansas in Fayetteville, No. 8 South Carolina and Auburn. Against the Razorbacks, he pitched 2.1 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Harris took care of the final three innings in a combined two-hit shutout of the Tigers. He was nearly perfect in an extra-inning road win over Missouri, providing four scoreless and hitless innings and a career-high eight strikeouts.
"I love to play baseball, and I grew up coming to these games," said Harris. "I love to be a teammate and to compete."
Behind all the wins and strikeouts, Harris thinks beyond college baseball. Harris is the type of guy who lets his play do most of the talking, but when asked about his faith, he is an open book. He says his religious values were nurtured by a close teammate on the UVA baseball team and that baseball gives him a platform to show that there is more to life than the game of baseball.
"That has been one of the coolest parts of college, one of the coolest things I have learned," said Harris. "Baseball will come and go; but getting to be a part of the lives of a lot of people, be in the locker room, travel, be able to spend time at the hotel, spend time at the field with a bunch of guys, there is a lot more going on than just baseball.
"I think with faith knowing that I have a lot of mistakes, and I have a lot sins that have been paid for, and I didn't have to do anything for, that has opened my eyes that baseball is a good platform to spread the good news that are you not the sum of your worst mistakes, but that you are loved and there is an opportunity to spread joy through that and get to build relationships through that and show that there is a lot more than what the world might see."
Ben Harris cares about his teammates and those around him, and Georgia is fortunate he has returned home.
Players Mentioned
LHP/OF
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