Braves writer Dave O’Brien of the AJC joins the podcast to preview the Braves this upcoming season, JASON Heyward, the Javy Vazquez trade and how he is still recovering from Farokhmanesh fever.
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With 14 SEC titles, 15 trips to Omaha and 6 National Championships, this is a common sight for Tiger fans.
After dropping the rubber match of a three game series against Mississippi State in heartbreaking fashion last Sunday, Georgia is getting some much deserved time off.
Hopefully the rest will allow Georgia to mend their wounds in advance of a weekend trip to defending national champion LSU.
The Tigers are an impressive 20-3 on the year, 5-1 in the SEC. LSU comes into this weekend on the heels of a three game sweep of Tennessee in Knoxville and hold a #5 ranking in this weeks Baseball America poll.
LSU hasn’t been tested a lot so far, they’re 2-1 in games against the top 25. Nor are they aren’t the slugging team that coined the phrase “Gorilla Ball” back in the late 90s. Nonetheless, LSU remains the team to beat in the SEC, especially with Florida dropping six spots in this week’s poll to #8 after losing 2 of 3 to Ole Miss.
I sent a couple questions down to my uncle in Baton Rouge to get an insider’s take on the Tiger team Georgia will be encountering this weekend. I’ll let him take the reins after the break (more…)
This is how baseball players should look.
Baseball movies have taught me one thing: no matter how you play, its important you look good. In fact, there may not be a more finicky group of dressers than baseball players. The uniform itself is a superstition, should pants be worn long? Should they be pulled up to the knees? Stirrups or socks? How curved should the brim of a cap be?
The sheer number of options should illustrate that baseball players all have their own unique look. What about our own local nine? Georgia’s play on the diamond has left a lot to be desired this year, but at least the look good… right? Err. Not so much.
After the break, let’s take a look at some of the duds the Dawgs have donned so far this season. (more…)
I honestly have no clue who this guy is.
The University of Georgia announced that guard Demario Mayfield and forward Drazen Zlovaric will both be transferring.
Mayfield averaged 6.5 minutes per game, but only saw 12 minutes on the floor when Georgia hit SEC play. He’s looking for a school that will give him more playing time.
Drazen was used sparingly as well, averaging 7.2 minutes a game in 26 appearances this season. “I would like to have stayed in school here, but in order to become the player I want to be, I need to seek a better chance for more playing time,” Zlovaric said in a statement released by the University.
It’s not clear whether or not Drazen and Demario would have seen more playing time with the departure of Ricky McPhee and Albert Jackson to graduation. Jeremy Price will probably get the bulk of AJ’s minutes with Chris Barnes and incoming freshman Cody Lalanne splitting the rest of them.
Does anyone really miss this guy?
Transfer Gerald Robinson is likely to take the starting two-guard slot, while Vincent Williams and Ebuka Anyaorah will get the brunt of the bench minutes in relief of Robinson and James’ favorite Dustin Ware.
Georgia’s program trouble keeping players on campus, the Dawgs have one of the lowest graduation rates in the SEC. In just the last couple of seasons, Georgia has bid farewell to Channing Toney and Zach Swansey via transfer. Mike Mercer, Takais Brown, and Billy Humphrey all left UGA because of disciplinary reasons.
I want to mention that none of those loses were the fault of coach Mark Fox. In fact, the recurring discipline problems along with horrible on-court performance led to the ouster of Coach Dennis Felton.
It’s a little concerning when you’re losing two guys and Georgia suffered down the stretch from an overworked starting rotation. Will it really hinder Georgia next year? Doubtful.
Things can’t get much lower for Georgia baseball right now. The Diamond Dawgs dropped their 6th straight game, this time to Furman, losing 10-9 on an otherwise perfect afternoon at Foley Field.
Georgia is still looking for answers after a six-run 9th inning rally fell short. One positive was the return of freshman shortstop Kyle Farmer in the 8th inning. His arrival marked the first time Georgia’s pre-season starting infield has been on the diamond at the same time.
Blake Deiterich got the start for the Bulldogs, lasting three innings and giving up three earned runs on five hits. The real damage was done in the Paladins half of the 7th. Furman combined to score 5 runs off of three Georgia pitchers and effectively put the game away.
Colby May did manage to knock in his fourth home run of the season, consider that another bright spot on the day for Georgia. The Dawgs return to the field on Friday night to take on Mississippi State in Starkville.
The other Bulldogs aren’t alone to struggles in SEC play. Mississippi State was swept down in Gainesville last weekend. SEC play won’t get much easier for Georgia… the conference is awash with talent, with 7 out of 12 teams are ranked in Baseball America’s Top 25 (#2 Florida, #7 LSU, #14 South Carolina, #16 Arkansas, #18 Ole Miss, #20 Alabama, and #24 Vanderbilt)
Hello and thanks for logging onto WUOG once again. I’m Robert Inskip and I’m at Foley Field right now getting ready to liveblog today’s game. Hopefully we can take your mind off your NCAA Basketball bracket if it has been completely eviscerated. Today we bring you the hardball version of The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. The Tigers dominated Friday night with a 20-3 win over the Dawgs. Georgia pitched much better yesterday, but fell once again to the Tigers by a score of 4-3. Today we have a much more sparse crowd and not as nice weather. It’d be nice to start a little later on Sundays, seeing as many Georgia fans attend church. Maybe Michael Adams said we’d be getting home too late for a school night if we started at 4:00pm. Just kidding…I’ll have to check up on this one.
Here are the starting lineups:
Auburn: 2B Justin Hargett, CF Creede Simpson, 1B Hunter Morris, DH Brian Fletcher, SS Casey McElroy, RF Tony Caldwell, 3B Dan Gamache, LF Justin Bryant, C Ryan Jenkins. LHP Grant Dayton.
Georgia: CF Zach Cone, LF Peter Verdin, 3B Colby May, 1B Chase Davidson, DH Brett DeLoach, RF Zach Taylor, C Carson Schilling, SS Levi Hyams, 2B Todd Hankins. RHP Jeff Walters.
Post-game quotes
“That’s what we thought our pitching was capable of doing. I can’t remember the last game we didn’t issue a walk” ~ Coach Perno (that would be the 2009 SEC playoff game against Arkansas)
Tim Hudson pitched and DH'd for Auburn. He also used to have hair (no evidence exists on the Internet though)
Kirk Carter here once again from Foley Field. Sorry that no one showed up to cover last nights SEC opener against Auburn. If its any consolation, Georgia didn’t show up either.
The Tigers took game one of this three game series 20-3 last night on the back of an impressive offensive effort. Georgia also gave an offensive effort (if you can’t pick up on the different usages of “offensive” I feel sorry for you).
The Dawgs are now riding a three game losing streak, and have lost 8 of their last 10 contests. Georgia looked like it had turned a corner in a 6-5 loss to Georgia Tech on Tuesday, but Friday’s effort proves there is still a long way to go.
Getting healthy will be a good first step. Levi Hyams remains on the mend, he’ll get the start at short stop again… no word on whether or not he can take full swings yet. Chase Davidson saw his way back into the lineup with a pinch-hit AB last night. Most importantly, Kyle Farmer is about a week or two a way from rejoining the line-up.
For the guys that are in the lineup, its a new day and Georgia will look to get back to their winning ways with ace Justin Grimm on the mound. The weather is absolutely perfect. It’s also nice to see that Georgia will be playing in front of a big home crowd this afternoon.
Here are today’s starting line-ups:
AUBURN TIGERS: 12-5 (1-0 SEC)
2b – Justin Hargett: L
cf – Creede Simpson: R
1b – Hunter Morris: L
dh – Brian Fletcher: R
ss – Casey McElroy: L
rf – Tony Caldwell: R
3b – Don Gamache: L
lf – Justin Bryant: R
c – Ryan Jenkins: R
Starting today will be left-hander Cole Nelson. Nelson is 3-0 on the year with a 3.74 ERA through 21 innings. I’m encouraged by his 1.36 WHIP. But, he’s also got 26 strikeouts on the year. Sounds like a guy that can get himself out of a jam.
GEORGIA BULLDOGS: 8-10 (0-1 SEC)
cf – Zach Cone: R
lf – Johnathan Taylor: L
rf – Peter Verdin: R
1b – Robert Shipman: L
dh – Brett DeLoach: R
c – Christian Glisson: L
3b – Colby May: R
ss – Levi Hyams: L
2b – Todd Hankins: R
On the mound will be Justin Grimm. The righty is 1-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 4 starts this season.
Tiger to Watch: Hunter Morris 1b
Morris had a huge night last night for Auburn. He’s had a huge season actually. The Tiger first baseman went 4-6 with 2 home runs, 5 RBI, and 3 runs scored. While he wasn’t the only Tiger making big hits, his bat was the spark for the 20 run outburst by the Plainsmen. He’s hitting a whopping .403 on the year with 6 home runs.
Bulldog to Watch: Justin Grimm RHP
Georgia came into this season expecting the pitching staff to carry them until the offense found its feet. The starters in the Bulldog rotation haven’t been carrying much of anything this year. Grimm is averaging just 4 innings per start, not what you want out of your staff ace. He’s got to go deep into this game and be effective for Georgia to stand any chance today.
First pitch is coming up. Stay tuned. (more…)
Busy day here at WUOG Sports. James has spent the morning/afternoon watching half naked guys work out. Meanwhile, I will be offering coverage and insight of Georgia’s contest against their in-state rivals.
It’s a tough road test for Georgia tonight against #3 Georgia Tech. While Georgia took two of three from Siena this weekend, the Dawgs have struggled against elite competition… I can only point to that ugly series against Florida State so many times.
Georgia straight up stinks right now. They’re pitching staff leads the SEC in ERA (7.41) and walks (73). To add insult in injury, they’re also last in the conference in runs scored.
While times may be tough, Georgia is a team capable of turning it around. They’ve battled big injuries all year to their starting infield. Chase Davidson and Kyle Farmer are still going to be out for a little while longer. I haven’t gotten further word about Levi Hyams who was unable to hit on Sunday after reaggrivating his back injury.
Starting on the mound for the Dawgs will be freshman Blake Dieterich. This is Blake’s first start of the year. The lefty is 0-1 in 7 innings of relief work with a 6.14 ERA.
Georgia Tech will counter with right-handed sophomore Mark Pope. Pope was Tech’s closer last season, he’s 1-0 with 0.00 ERA in one start this year.
The lineup for the Dawgs tonight is a new look: Cone, Taylor, Verdin, Shipman, Glisson, May, Taylor, Hankins, Hyams
Tech’s lineup is nearly unchanged from the one they’ve used all year: Rowland, Esch, Plagman, Leonida, Skole, Dietrich, Burnette, Dantzler, Nichols (more…)
It’s Pro Day for the Georgia Seniors to display their talents in front of NFL scouts today and we’re currently waiting in the Stegeman Coliseum training facility for the weight lifting portion of the session to begin. There’s not an official list of players working out, but Jeff Owens, Prince Miller and Rennie Curran all have relatives here. I know Mike Moore will be here and I’m sure Geno Atkins will work out also. I’m not sure about Reshad Jones who has been working out on the west coast and I’ve been told by a member of Georgia staff that he’d be surprised if Joe Cox worked out (I had to ask).
Click “More” for continuous updates throughout the day. (more…)
