Sports

And the game has been officially postponed. The rain wouldn’t let up, and the teams will play two seven-inning games tomorrow starting at 12pm. I’ll be back to fill you in on those games. Sorry to disappoint any who were really looking forward to reading about some Saturday afternoon baseball. But check back here tomorrow at noon, and I promise to make it up to you, barring any unreasonably high expectations.

It’s been about a thirty-minute delay now, and the players on both teams are growing restless. They’ve resorted to a new method of competition: they’re writing messages on baseballs and tossing the balls back and forth to the opposing dugout. It’s like instant messaging without electronics. Got to love old-school communication.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs will finish up their series against LSU tomorrow at 2pm at Foley, then take a one-day trip up to Clemson on Tuesday. On April 1, they resume their SEC schedule in a three-game home series against Mississippi State (16-6, 2-2 SEC). Georgia ranks dead last in the SEC in both team batting and team pitching. They do not have a player ranked in the top 10 for any major category in the SEC.

It is now past the scheduled start time as we continue to wait on the weather. Very few fans here at Foley. The diamond faithful have gathered in small pockets under the roof to stay dry. There are almost as many LSU fans present as Georgia fans. Quite a bit more chilly than it was during the week, when we enjoyed five warm days of sun and ragweed.

The Bulldogs’ 2011 early recruiting class ranks second in the nation, according to Perfect Game USA. Also, Georgia juniors Zach Cone, Michael Palazzone, and Cecil Tanner have been ranked in the Top 100 college prospects for the MLB draft in June, according to Baseball America. Cone was selected as a second team All-American by Baseball America. Palazzone has already been drafted twice in his young career, by the Atlanta Braves in 2008 and the Cleveland Indians in the 32nd round last year. Tanner was drafted by the Braves in the 36th round after his high school career ended in 2008.

Some quick facts as we wait for the sky to clear: LSU has dominated the series history against Georgia, with the count at 57-18-2 in favor of the Tigers since 1975. This includes a decade long stretch in the 90s in which the Bulldogs lost 24 out of 26 against LSU.

The rain has picked up again here just about 20 minutes before the scheduled game time. Georgia players quickly spread out a tarp over the infield. It doesn’t look too bad, no thunder or lightning. However, we may have a delay in play if the rain persists.

Michael Palazzone will start on the mound for Georgia today. Palazzone (2-1) holds a 2.64 ERA through five starts, with 27 strikeouts and just three walks. LSU makes a late change, opting to go with Ben Alsup (3-2). Alsup has a 3.42 ERA and has struck out 20 in five starts.

Happy Saturday, baseball fans. Ken Nasse here to blog the Dogs’ weekend game against the ninth-ranked LSU Tigers from Foley Field. This is the second of a three-game series, with the Bulldogs falling to the Tigers last night, 7-3. Alex Wood (2-3) pitched seven strong innings but struggled in the eighth, giving up three runs, which allowed LSU (17-5) to pull away. The loss was the fifth in the last six games for the Bulldogs, dropping them to 9-13 overall and 1-3 in the SEC. In those five losses, the Dogs have given up a combined 44 runs. Some defensive help will be needed to their season on track. But the Georgia bats will also need to be more potent. Heading into this series against LSU, they were batting just .258, compared to their .290 mark at this point last year. The Dogs can’t expect any breaks from their opponents; they play the 10th-toughest schedule in the nation, according to BoydsWorld.com.