The Diamond 'Dawgs will step out of conference play today for the first of three games this season against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
The Jackets come in with a 23-8 record and ranked #20 in the country. The Jackets have relied on solid pitching and stingy defense to jump out to a solid start on the season. The Gnats are 21-0 in games in which they allow 5 or fewer runs. The Jackets also lead Division I baseball in double plays (45) and double plays per game (1.45). Danny Hall's team has done a solid job of getting then keeping a lead with the assistance of closer Matt Gorst, who sports a 0.43 ERA through 19.2 innings of work. He's struck out 28 and allowed only 11 base runners.
Offensively, junior shortstop Connor Justus has been on a tear. He's hitting .395 with 21 RBIs and a .589 slugging percentage. Leftfielder Matt Gonzalez is hitting a nearly as torrid .381, and is 9th among active Division I players in career RBIs (142).
Georgia of course visits Russ Chandler Stadium off a sometimes embarrassing weekend sweep at the hands of #3 Texas A&M. Georgia will start junior lefthander Andrew Gist (2-1, 3.45 ERA).
This counts as a bit of a respite for the 'Dawgs, who'll next embark on a weekend series against #2 South Carolina at Foley Field. It's part of what currently sets up as 27 straight games against ranked opponents. If this Bulldog squad comes out of it with anything approaching a .500 record, Scott Stricklin deserves a medal.
Tuesday's contest starts at 6:00 p.m., streaming on ESPN3. Come on guys. Wreck Tech! And . . .
Go 'Dawgs!!!