Now that Athens has been announced as one of the host cities for the college baseball postseason, many are scrambling to learn more about the major contenders for Omaha. UCLA and Georgia Tech have commanded much of the public’s attention all season, but don’t overlook Georgia.
The Bulldogs have taken a major step forward in their third season under head coach Wes Johnson, and this year’s lineup feels different. Here’s what to know before watching Georgia.
They Have Power
“Sour power.” “Feed the trees.” Whatever slogan the Bulldogs are using this week, one thing remains clear: they swing for the fences.
That has been true throughout Johnson’s tenure, due in part to the analytics-driven approach used to shape hitters and the hitter-friendly dimensions at Foley Field. But even by recent standards, Georgia’s power numbers are historic.
The Bulldogs have hit a nation-leading 149 home runs this season — 12 more than the next closest Division I program. It’s not just a product of their home park, either. Georgia has hit more than twice as many home runs as it has allowed.
The Bulldogs are chasing historically elite offensive production. Don’t look away from the screen for long — a run could come at any moment.
The Lineup Is Deep
Fans know Daniel Jackson. They’ve watched Tre Phelps for three seasons. Kolby Branch and his mustache are hard to miss.
But that barely scratches the surface of Georgia’s lineup.
Ryan Wynn has emerged in the second half as a doubles machine. Kenny Ishikawa consistently puts the ball in play with a compact contact swing. Brennan Hudson has delivered in key comeback moments. Ryan Lujo brings speed and aggression on the bases. Michael O’Shaughnessy owns a smooth left-handed swing reminiscent of Joc Pederson.
Opponents can’t simply pitch around the top of the order. Georgia relies on all nine hitters. The Bulldogs rank fourth nationally in both batting average and on-base percentage. Those are team accomplishments, not individual ones.
Finish Them Off Early
Florida appeared comfortably in control during the SEC Tournament semifinal, building a 6-0 lead against a Georgia team that had never won the tournament title.
But the Gators didn’t finish the job.
Georgia rallied to capture the first SEC Tournament championship in program history.
This team has grit. Earlier this season, Tennessee’s Stone Lawless flipped his bat believing he had hit a go-ahead home run against the Bulldogs, only for Cole Johnson to make a game-saving catch at the wall.
Georgia doesn’t stop competing because conventional wisdom says the game is over. If opponents have a chance to put the Bulldogs away, they need to capitalize. No lead feels safe against this lineup.
The college baseball postseason is always unpredictable. A sport built on more than 60 games suddenly gets reduced to a short series.
Georgia has looked capable of reaching Omaha in each of the last two seasons and still fell short. But this much is certain: the Bulldogs won’t quit.
That alone should make for entertaining baseball, regardless of the outcome.
