Lots of Bulldog baseball in Athens this weekend

From UGA Sports Communications

ATHENS-----Georgia plays host to Rider in a three-game series at Foley Field starting Friday at 6 p.m.

Georgia’s Ike Cousins head baseball coach Scott Stricklin announced that the Bulldogs (6-7) will utilize the three-man rotation of sophomore left-hander Kevin Smith, freshman right-hander Tony Locey and junior right-hander Chase Adkins against the Broncs (3-5). The Saturday and Sunday games will begin at 1 p.m.

Here’s a few tidbits regarding the Bulldogs:

*Series History: The Bulldogs are 1-0 against Rider, and it was a huge victory. Georgia posted a 13-5 win over the Broncs to claim the 1987 NCAA Northeast Regional in Atlanta and send the Bulldogs to their first College World Series! Rider is located in New Jersey and competes in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

*Stats At A Glance: Georgia is batting .260 with 13 home runs while the team ERA is 4.26 with three shutouts. This past Wednesday, Georgia scored a season-high 11 runs and finished the Xavier series batting .362 (25-for-69). Georgia's leading hitters are junior Will Campbell (.342) and freshman Austin Biggar (.333). Biggar has a caeer-best five-game hitting streak.

Rider is looking to improve in all areas in the early going as the Broncs are batting just .211 with two home runs in eight games while compiling a 7.50 ERA and a .966 fielding percentage. Warmer weather should help them as last weekend Rider played in Delaware where game temperatures ranged from 28 to 43 degrees

*Did You Know? In Georgia's 11-6 win over Xavier this past Wednesday (March 8), Keegan McGovern delivered a pinch-hit two-run home run to put Georgia in front 5-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Bulldogs eventually won 11-6. Before that big swing by McGovern, the last time Georgia got a pinch-hit home run came exactly a year ago, on March 8, 2016. That day, it was Michael Curry coming off the bench as he smashed a three-run shot against Charlotte at BB&T Ballpark.

Pitching Matchups: Georgia vs. Rider

Friday @ 6:02 pm (SECN+): Kevin Smith (1-1, 3.94), LHP, So. vs. #32 Pete Soporowski (0-1, 18.69), LHP, Fr.

Saturday @ 1 pm: Tony Locey (2-1, 4.50), RHP, Fr. vs. Nick Margevicius (1-0, 2.25), LHP, Jr.

Sunday @ 1:02 pm (SECN+): Chase Adkins (2-0, 2.25), RHP, Jr. vs. Paul Sparano (0-1, 14.14), RHP, Jr.

Foley Field Ticket Information

*Ticket Booth and Gates open two hours before first pitch.

*Reserved Seat Tickets: $8; General Admission Tickets: $5; Order online or by calling 1-877-542-1231

*UGA Student Tickets: Free Admission with valid UGA Student ID Card

*UGA Student Gate is located off Rutherford Street

Television/Radio

TV: SEC Network+: Friday & Sunday Only; No TV on Saturday

Radio: Georgia Bulldog Sports Network from IMG College (Jeff Dantzler & David Johnston)

Stations: 960 AM-WRFC and selected affiliates (check your local listings), georgiadogs.com and via the Georgia Bulldogs app and TuneIn app.

Additional Coverage on Twitter: @BaseballUGA; GameTracker: www.georgiadogs.com.gametracker

Promotions For Rider Series

*Sunday: Anthem Buddies: Kids can stand with their favorite player during the national anthem. Also after the game, kids can run the bases and play catch in the outfield for a brief time.

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