The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS
Coach: Danny Hall 2014 record: 37-27 (14-16 ACC, fifth in Coastal) 2014 postseason finish: Won ACC tournament, lost in NCAA regional round 2015 opener: vs. St. John’s, 4 p.m. today FOUR PLAYERS TO WATCH Matt Gonzalez, 3B/OF, Jr.: A second-team All-ACC pick last season after hitting .314 with an ACC-high 21 doubles, Gonzalez has been a dependable presence in the Tech lineup the past two seasons. His versatility in the field — he even has trained at catcher — figures to help Hall fit more bats into the lineup. Kel Johnson, OF/1B, Fr.: Among the most sought-after prospects in his class, Johnson is expected to make an immediate impact. Johnson brings all-field power to a lineup that desperately needed it last season, when it finished ninth in the ACC in home runs. Another freshman, Wade Bailey, likely will start at second base. A.J. Murray, 1B/C, Sr.: After a strong finish to the 2014 season, Murray was a standout last summer in the prestigious Cape Cod summer league, finishing in the top five in RBIs and home runs. His power numbers should get a boost with the NCAA’s change to flat-seamed baseballs that will increase ball flight because of lower drag. Devin Stanton, LHP, Sr.: A two-time captain, Stanton likely will hold down one of the weekend starting jobs after recording a 2.24 ERA last season in 18 appearances (12 starts). Not overpowering but possessing good control, Stanton is among options that Hall will have to choose from for a starting rotation, including Ben Parr, Jonathan King and Cole Pitts. SCHEDULE February: 13-vs. St. John’s, 4 p.m.; 14-vs. Fordham (DH), noon; 17-at Georgia Southern, 6 p.m.; 20-vs. Florida International (Conway, S.C.), 1 p.m.; 21-vs. Albany (Conway, S.C.), 11 a.m.; 22-vs. Coastal Carolina (Conway, S.C.), 1 p.m.; 24-at Auburn, 5 p.m.; 25-vs. Georgia State, 4 p.m.; 27-vs. Indiana State, 4 p.m.; 28-vs. Indiana State, 2 p.m. March: 1-vs. Indiana State, 1 p.m.; 3-vs. Ohio, 4 p.m.; 6-vs. Notre Dame, 4 p.m.; 7-vs. Notre Dame, 2 p.m.; 8-vs. Notre Dame, 1 p.m.; 10-vs. Georgia Southern, 6 p.m.; 13-at Duke, 6 p.m.; 14-at Duke, 1 p.m.; 15-at Duke, 1 p.m.; 17-at Kennesaw State, 6 p.m.; 20-vs. North Carolina, 7 p.m.; 21-vs. North Carolina, 4 p.m.; 22,-vs. North Carolina, 1 p.m.; 24-vs. Auburn, 6 p.m.; 27-at Louisville, 6 p.m.; 28-at Louisville, 1 p.m.; 29-at Louisville, 1 p.m.; 31-at Georgia, 7 p.m. April: 1-at Georgia State, 6 p.m.; 3-at Virginia Tech, 5:30 p.m.; 4-at Virginia Tech, 2 p.m.; 5-at Virginia Tech, 1 p.m.; 7-vs. Mercer, 6 p.m.; 10-vs. Virginia, 7 p.m.; 11-vs. Virginia, 4 p.m.; 12-vs. Virginia, 1 p.m.; 14-vs. Georgia, 7 p.m.; 17-at Boston College, 2:30 p.m.; 18-at Boston College, 1:30 p.m.; 19-at Boston College, 1 p.m.; 21-vs. Kennesaw State, 6 p.m.; 24-vs. Clemson, 7 p.m.; 25-vs. Clemson, 4 p.m.; 26-vs. Clemson, 1 p.m. May: 2-vs. Presbyterian, 1 p.m. (DH); 3-vs. Presbyterian, 1 p.m.; 6-at Mercer, 6 p.m.; 8-vs. Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.; 9, vs. Pittsburgh, 2 p.m.; 10, vs. Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.; 12-vs. Georgia (Turner Field), 7 p.m.; 14-at Miami, 7 p.m.; 15-at Miami, 7 p.m.; 16-at Miami, 1 p.m.