The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pitching, power lift UGA to rare sweep of Vandy
High RPI could put Dawgs in position to host regional.
ATHENS — At the start of each week throughout the regular season, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will take a closer look at the Georgia baseball team. Here’s a breakdown of the Bulldogs going into the 13th week of the 2024 campaign:
Record: 35-12, 13-11 SEC.
Streak: Won 5.
Ranking: No. 14.
Last week (4-0): Tuesday, beat Kennesaw State 9-3; Friday, beat No. 13 Vanderbilt 10-0 (7 innings); Saturday, beat Vanderbilt 10-0 (8 innings); Sunday, beat Vanderbilt 11-7.
This week: Thursday, at No. 16 South Carolina (32-15, 13-11), 8 p.m. (ESPNU); Friday, at South Carolina, 5:30 p.m. (SEC Network); Saturday, at South Carolina, 2 p.m.
Week in review: The Bulldogs needed a big week, and they produced one, culminating with the first sweep of a Vanderbilt series in 21 years. It was total domination from start to finish. The first two games ended as run-rule victories, and Georgia scored in double figures again Sunday.
While the Bulldogs’ explosive offense was the main story — they outscored the Commodores 35-11 — Georgia also had some success on the mound. On Sunday, Zach Harris got his first SEC start and tied his career high with five strikeouts in a four-inning appearance. He improved to 5-0 with the win and has no hits, no runs, three walks and 10 strikeouts in his last seven innings of work. Junior Chandler Marsh continued his comeback and recorded the final four outs for his first save.
Once again, though, Charlie Condon’s heroics at the plate eclipsed everything. The 6-foot-6, 215-pound sophomore from Marietta hit three more home runs over the weekend, extending his homer streak to seven games and giving him 33 for the season. That ties Florida’s Jac Caglianone, who had 33 in 71 games last year, for second in SEC history in a single season. Condon’s homers so far have come in 47 contests.
Week ahead: With the SEC’s only sweep of the weekend, the Bulldogs moved into a tie for third in the Eastern Division. They’ll face the team with which they’re tied — South Carolina — Thursday through Saturday in Columbia.
The Gamecocks took two of three at Missouri this past weekend. They are 22-7 at home in Founder’s Park this season. South Carolina plays host to Winthrop today, while Georgia does not have a midweek game.
Again, the Bulldogs’ power at the plate appears to be the primary differential. Georgia is hitting .306 as a team and enters the series having hit 120 home runs. The Gamecocks bat .272 and have 70 round-trippers. Ethan Petry (17) and Cole Messina (13) have accounted for 30 of those.
With their RPI now up to No. 5 and a No. 8 strength of schedule, the Bulldogs believe they’re in position to host a regional. Winning this series would leave no doubt.