UGA Baseball set to host No. 15 Texas A&M

ATHENS----Georgia faces another stern test when it plays host to No. 15 Texas A&M in a Southeastern Conference showdown starting Thursday. First pitch will be at 5:02 p.m. The entire series will be televised on SEC Network+ and be available on the Bulldog Sports Network from IMG.

The Bulldogs (19-6, 5-1 SEC) are riding a seven-game winning streak and are 12-1 over their past 13 games. Georgia is 14-1 at home this season while the Aggies are 5-3 on the road. After two weekends of league play, Georgia and Vanderbilt (17-8, 5-1 SEC) are co-leaders in the SEC with a 5-1 SEC mark. Dating back to last season, the Bulldogs have won five straight SEC series with the most recent one a sweep of South Carolina. It marked Georgia’s fifth straight series win over the Gamecocks and first sweep of them since 2008. Also, it was Georgia’s first SEC sweep since 2015 (at Tennessee) and first SEC home sweep since 2012 (Auburn). At 5-1 in the SEC, this is Georgia’s best start since 2002 when it began 7-2. Currently, Arkansas (17-7, 4-2 SEC) and Ole Miss (22-3, 4-2 SEC) share the lead in the Western Division.

The Aggies (20-6, 2-4 SEC) own one of the nation’s top pitching staffs, and they enter the series with a 2.60 ERA and holding opponents to a .223 batting average. Texas A&M opened the SEC slate by dropping a road series to then No. 14 Auburn (2-1) and then lost a home series to then No. 5 Ole Miss (2-1).

Georgia and Texas A&M did not meet until the Aggies joined the SEC, and the Bulldogs served as their first league opponent in 2013. That year, the Aggies swept the Bulldogs in College Station (4-1, 2-1{10} and 11-4). In 2014, Georgia claimed the series 2-1 in Athens, winning 3-2, 6-1 and then dropped the finalé 9-5. The last series came in 2016 back in College Station, and the Aggies posted another sweep, outscoring the Bulldogs 30-3. Thus, Texas A&M leads the series 7-2. In SEC action this year, Georgia is batting .282 with a 3.90 ERA and a .983 Fielding Percentage. The Aggies in SEC play are hitting .250 with a 4.50 ERA and a .957 Fielding Percentage. Both teams are employing their same rotation as last week even with the series moved up a day to Thursday-Saturday due to Easter.

Offensively, Georgia has been led by senior outfielder Keegan McGovern (.378-10-30), sophomore third baseman/pitcher Aaron Schunk (.306-0-16; 1-0, 0.77 ERA, 2 SV, 11.2 IP, 1BB, 16K), junior designated hitter Michael Curry (.347-5-28) and junior first baseman Adam Sasser (.333-2-19). Curry has an 11-game hitting streak. McGovern ranks among the top 10 in the SEC in numerous offensive categories including second in home runs. Schunk had a career-best 16 game-hitting streak end during the USC series but did register his first two career saves.

The Bulldogs appear in two of the four national top 25 polls this week, checking in at No. 23 in Collegiate Baseball's Top 30 and No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Georgia is not in the top 25 polls of Baseball America or D1Baseball.

Pitching Matchups: UGA vs. Texas A&M

Thursday: Chase Adkins (2-0, 4.34), RHP, Sr. Vs. Stephen Kolek (3-2, 1.70), RHP, Jr.

Friday: Emerson Hancock (3-1, 3.60), RHP, Fr. Vs. John Doxakis (4-0, 1.59), LHP, So.

Saturday: Ryan Webb (1-1, 2.88), LHP, Fr. Vs. Mitchell Kilkenny (5-0, 1.86), RHP, Jr.

Television/Radio

TV: SEC Network+ (Matt Stewart & Jason Jacobs)

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

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

Additional Coverage on Twitter: @BaseballUGA

Tickets/Promotions/Reminder Clear Bag Policy

-Foley Field – Gates/Ticket Booth open 2 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

Promotions

Thursday: Utz is giving away 1,000 bags of chips

Friday: The first 1,000 fans receive a Georgia Baseball mini-bat

Saturday: Anthem Buddies: Kids can stand on the field with the Bulldogs during the national anthem

Saturday Postgame: Kids Run The Bases, Play Catch In The Outfield

Foley Field Follows SEC’s Clear Bag Policy

In order to enhance safety and expedite fan entry at Georgia athletic events, UGA follows the SEC’s Clear Bag Policy at Foley Field and all other athletic facilities. Only one clear bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches (gallon size) per person is permitted. Fans are also allowed a small clutch purse not exceeding 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Also, Seat cushions/backs should be no bigger than 16 inches and have no arms or pockets.