The Bulldogs finished their shortened fall pre-season strong, thumping a talented conference and national rival, Clemson, by scores of 17-1 and 5-1 in their 2 game set over the weekend. Starting pitching was dominant for the Dawgs, as Michael Elliot threw 6 1/3 innings of shutout baseball in Game 1, allowing 2 hits 0 runs, issuing 0 walks, and striking out 8 Tigers. Not to be outdone, Taylor Landrum threw 7 innings of shutout baseball, issuing 2 walks (1 intentional), allowing 5 hits and striking out 6 Tigers. The bullpen was strong as well with Penn Collins, Joseph Batrous, and Kyle Betz all overpowering the Tigers toward the end of the games.
Offensively, Georgia was once again led by Michael Adams and Matt McCarthy. McCarthy set the tone in game 1 with a 2 run home run in the first inning. The shot proved to be all the offense the Dawgs would need, but they tacked on 15 more for good measure. Adams contributed 6 hits on the weekend, with multiple run scoring doubles. Game 1 saw 2nd baseman Clark Wright and Shortstop Luke Walker each contribute with 3 hit performances while 1st team All American Watson Lavigno was issued a remarkable 5 walks. Tyler Hampton and Clete Wilson also contributed multiple hits on the weekend as the Bulldogs clicked on all facets.
The Bulldogs finish the fall with a record of 4-1 and will now take a 3 month hiatus before they return to action in late January as the regular season gets under way.
An injury riddled and short staff Georgia baseball team limped into Chapel Hill, North Carolina for a 3 game set to begin their Fall season against the Tar Heels of UNC-Chapel Hill. A Georgia offense which looked to be among the nation’s most potent this season struggled mightily in Game 1, posted just 2 runs while stranding 6 runners in scoring position. All-American Watson Lavigno lead the Georgia attack with 3 hits (2 of which were Doubles) and 2 RBI’s. The veteran Sr. righty, Justin Pannell, made the start for Georgia, allowing 4hits and 1 unearned run over 5 strong innings in the no decision. Pannell gave way in the 6th to Jr. Jonathan Vines, who allowed zero runs in relief last year during the regular season, but struggled with control in the cold Carolina air, allowing 3 runs in 2/3 of an inning of work. Closer Luke Walker came in to finish off the 6th but the damage had been done and Georgia fell to the former National Champions by a final score of 4-2.
A resilient Georgia team came back firing in Game 2. Jr. transfer Taylor Landrum got the nod, throwing 4 1/3 innings of work in a mixed bag of results. Landrum was dominant through 3 innings and change allowing just 2 hits with 4 strikeouts. As he ran out of steam however, Landrum allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, over the next inning plus, departing with a slim 7-4 lead. Vines and Walker again teamed up in relief for a short manned bullpen closing the game out to preserve the Georgia lead. Offensively the Dawgs were led by Fr. Centerfielder, Michael Adams, who went an astounding 8-10 on the weekend with 5 extra base hits, including a 3 run home run in Game 2. Georgia cruised to a victory by a final score of 11-5.
Game 3 was more of the same. With Sophomore Michael Elliott debuting off of his dominant Freshman year which saw him post a 2.2 ERA, Elliott threw 6 dominant innings, allowing just 2 hits, 1 run, while running up 7 strikeouts. Offensively the Dawgs were paced by 1st baseman Matt “Diablo” McCarthy who had a double and 3 run home run in the contest. Every Bulldog starter either scored or drove in a run and Georgia blitzed the Tar Heels to take the series by a final score of 15-1.
The Dawgs return to action, slightly healthier, this weekend at home at Smith Field for a 2 game set with conference rival Clemson. Games are scheduled for 12 on Saturday, and 11 on Sunday.
Yesterday, Georgia concluded baseball tryouts which stretched over the large parts of 2 weeks, resulting in the 2009-2010 UGA Club Baseball Roster officially coming into focus today. Tryouts saw just over 60 players come out in a bid to make the team, equating in an outpouring of talent which included multiple Division 1 and JUCO transfers, along with a host of talented freshman. When asked, head coach David Emadi called the tryout “…an enormous showcase of talented baseball players…” and that cutting the roster down to 23 was “…virtually impossible with this many genuinely talented guys. Some very good players were casualties of the unbelievable depth we had this year.” The Georgia coaching staff and front office thank everyone who tried out.
The Bulldogs now head into the 2009-2010 season with large expectations placed on their shoulders, and they look to meet those expectations behind a 23 man roster which includes 16 returners, 5 All-Conference players, and 2 All-Americans from their Conference Championship team of 2008-2009. The Bulldogs welcome 7 newcomers to the squad and will work behind a 9 man pitching staff, of whom 3 are 2-way players.
Georgia opens their fall campaign at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill on October 17th. The following week they will host Conference rival Clemson at home. A 3rd Fall series is still TBA.
Note: To those who made the team, practices begin next Tuesday at Smith Field. Be there promptly at 4 o’clock.
Tryouts have been pushed back due to inclement weather and scheduled maintenace on the home field that was pushed back due to rain. Instead of beginning on August 31st as originally scheduled, they will now begin on Friday, September 4th at 4 PM. Friday they will be held at Holland Sports Complex. If you are not on the email listserv (where directions were sent out), email the team at Ugaclubbaseball@hotmail.com. Tryouts will not be held Monday, September 7th on Labor Day. They will re-commence on Tuesday, September 8th at Smith Field (directions on website) at 4 PM and will continue through the remained of the week there.
Tryouts for the 2009-2010 Club Baseball season have been set for Monday, August 31st- Friday September 4th. Tryouts will be held at Smith Field (Directions available on website) and will begin at 4 PM, so feel free to arrive 30 minutes early to stretch and throw.
There will also be an informational meeting, held in the Ramsey Center in Room 225 at 7:30 on Tuesday, August 25th. This meeting is not mandatory but very important and it is strongly recommended that if you intend to tryout for the team you attend. If you have additional questions before the meeting, email Team President Adam Weingarten (Adamw87@uga.edu) or Head Coach David Emadi (Emad1@uga.edu) for details.
