COVID-19 setback keeps UGA coach out of dugout

Georgia baseball coach Scott Stricklin fully intended to return to the dugout for the Bulldogs this weekend, but those plans were scrambled Friday.

Stricklin told The Atlanta Journal-constitution on Thursday he planned to fly commercially to College Station, Texas, today to join his team for the second of three games against Texas A&M. However, he experienced a setback in his recovery Friday and was advised not to travel.

UGA sent out an news release Friday afternoon, a day after Stricklin had told his weekly radio audience about his plans to return.

“Stricklin is in isolation at home,” UGA’S statement said. “The action is consistent with COVID-19 management requirements developed by the SEC’S Medical Guidance Task Force and the Georgia Department of Public Health guidelines.”

Stricklin has been separated from his squad since March 18. He said he started feeling poorly days before last weekend’s series against Tennessee but did not test positive until the morning of March 19. The 12th-ranked

Bulldogs (15-5, 1-2 SEC) went 2-2 in the week since, with Stricklin quarantined in the basement of his home. No. 10 Tennessee won two of three last weekend, then the Bulldogs got a walk-off win in 10 innings over Kennesaw State on Tuesday.

“I was in the basement watching and that was probably the worst thing for my health,” Stricklin said in a radio interview with an Athens radio station Thursday. “Watching it and having zero control is tough.”

Associate head coach Scott Daeley will remain in charge in Sticklin’s absence. SEC protocol prevents Stricklin from communicating with coaches and players during games, though he can until pregame batting practice and then again after games. He also was able to meet with coaches and players regularly during the week and go over scouting reports and pitching and lineup plans. He said he has been watching the games via an Internet stream.

Georgia fell from No. 7 in the latest Collegiate Baseball rankings. The Aggies (15-8, 0-3) have lost four consecutive after getting swept on the road against No. 2 Florida last weekend and losing 2-1 to Rice at home Tuesday.