New digs for UGA baseball team

It might not feel like it outside, but baseball is just around the corner for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Under the direction of first-year coach Wes Johnson, the Bulldogs have begun preseason workouts at Foley Field. That has given Georgia’s players an opportunity to enjoy some of the new amenities provided in an ongoing $45 million renovation of the baseball complex.

Returning to school for winter semester, the Bulldogs were greeted with a new locker room, players’ lounge, team meeting room and nutrition area. The project also includes a state-of-the-art pitching lab and new batting tunnels built underneath the stadium. By end of the two-phase endeavor, there will be an additional 41,000-square feet of space, 230 extra seats and new LED lights for the field.

Johnson replaced Scott Stricklin last summer. The Bulldogs feature 20 returning lettermen, including All-American first baseman/outfielder Charlie Condon (a former standout at The Walker School) and pitchers Charlie Goldstein (Alpharetta High), Chandler Marsh and Leighton Finley. Johnson also added 17 players via the transfer portal, including shortstop Kolby Branch, an All-American from Baylor, infielder Slate Alford (Mississippi State) and pitcher Brandt Pancer (Stanford, North Gwinnett High).

The Bulldogs will hold their annual First Pitch banquet Feb. 10 before opening the season with a home series against UNC-Asheville on Feb. 16.

Baseball is not the only spring sport getting a face-lift. Georgia’s softball complex also was approved for a $38.5 million renovation at the fall athletic board meeting. That money will add a two-story, 27,500 building and new locker rooms to Jack Turner Stadium complex.

CHIP TOWERS/AJC 2023 Georgia AD Josh Brooks (left) introduced new baseball coach Wes Johnson to the media in June. Johnson takes over a program whose facilities are undergoing a $45 million renovation, including a new locker room and nutrition area.