The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

GEORGIA BULLDOGS

- Chip Towers

Coach: Scott Stricklin 2014 record: 26-29-1 (11-18-1 SEC, sixth in East) 2014 postseason finish: Lost to Mississipp­i State 5-4 in SEC tournament 2015 opener: vs. Eastern Illinois, 5 p.m. today FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH Robert Tyler, RHP, Soph.: He earned freshman AllAmerica honors and was included on the preseason watch list for the 2015 Golden Spikes Award after going 6-4 and logging a 2.68 ERA in 12 starts last season. He had 64 strikeouts while allowing only 60 hits and 22 walks in 80 innings. Brandon Stephens, C, Sr.: This fifth-year senior is a dugout leader and one of two designated team captains. Stephens is known for his clutch hitting, such as a walkoff RBI single to defeat Creighton in the 2011 NCAA tournament and recording the game-winning hit against Georgia Tech last season. Should platoon with Zack Bowers. Jared Walsh, LHP-1B, Sr.: Also a team captain, Walsh is a key piece for the Bulldogs. He’s a two-way player who will have a role as a reliever and possibly a starting pitcher and will hit in the middle of the order as a first baseman and/or designated hitter. He was limited to 19 games last season because of a back injury. Stephen Wrenn, CF, Soph.: A speedy, athletic player who started 55 games in center field, Wrenn set a school record last season with perfect fielding in 171 chances, with five assists. He also led the team in stolen bases with 16 in 20 attempts. He will look to improve on last season’s .254 batting average. SCHEDULE February: 13-vs. Eastern Illinois, 5 p.m.; 14-vs. Eastern Illinois, noon; 15-vs. Eastern Illinois, 1 p.m.; 17, at Kennesaw State, 5 p.m.; 20-vs. Florida State, 5 p.m.; 21-vs. Florida State, 4:30 p.m.; 22-vs. Florida State, 1 p.m.; 24-vs. Presbyteri­an, 4 p.m.; 25-vs. Kennesaw State, 5 p.m.; 27-at Georgia Southern, 6 p.m.; 28-at Georgia Southern, 2:30 p.m. March: 1-at Georgia Southern, 1:30 p.m.; 3-vs. Furman, 5 p.m.; 4-vs. Georgia State, 5 p.m.; 6-vs. Longwood, 5 p.m.; 7-vs. Longwood, 2 p.m.; 8-vs. Longwood, 1 p.m.; 10-vs. Appalachia­n State, 5 p.m. ; 11-vs. Appalachia­n State, 5 p.m.; 13-vs. Missouri, 6 p.m.; 14-vs. Missouri, 2 p.m.; 15-vs. Missouri, 1 p.m.; 17-at Mercer, 6 p.m.; 20at Tennessee, 6 p.m.; 21-at Tennessee, 4 p.m.; 22-at Tennessee, 2 p.m.; 24-vs. Mercer, 6 p.m.; 27-at South Carolina, 7 p.m.; 28-at South Carolina, 4 p.m.; 29-at South Carolina, 1:30 p.m.; 31-vs. Georgia Tech, 7 p.m. April: 3-vs. Vanderbilt, 7 p.m.; 4-vs. Vanderbilt, 2 p.m.; 5,-vs. Vanderbilt, noon; 7-at Clemson, 6:30 p.m.; 10-vs. Alabama (Hoover, Ala.), 8 p.m.; 11-vs. Alabama (Hoover, Ala.), 4 p.m.; 12-vs. Alabama (Hoover, Ala.), 2 p.m.; 14-at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m.; 17-vs. LSU, 7 p.m.; 18-vs. LSU, 2 p.m.; 19-vs. LSU, 1 p.m.; 21-vs. Clemson, 7 p.m.; 23-at Auburn, 7 p.m.; 24-at Auburn, 7 p.m.; 25-at Auburn, 1 p.m. May: 1-vs. Florida, 7 p.m.; 2-vs. Florida, noon; 3-vs. Florida, 1 p.m.; 8-at Kentucky, 6:30 p.m.; 9-at Kentucky, 2 p.m.; 10-at Kentucky, noon; 12-vs. Georgia Tech (Turner Field), 7 p.m.; 14-vs. Arkansas, 7 p.m.; 15-vs. Arkansas, 7 p.m.; 16-vs. Arkansas, 1 p.m.

 ?? UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA ?? Jared Walsh, a team captain, is expected to be a dual threat as a pitcher and a hitter in the middle of the lineup. A back problem limited him to 19 games last season.
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA Jared Walsh, a team captain, is expected to be a dual threat as a pitcher and a hitter in the middle of the lineup. A back problem limited him to 19 games last season.

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