No. 1 Arkansas and No. 7 Georgia will face off in Athens this weekend in one of the top matchups in college baseball. The Razorbacks enter the series riding an eight-game winning streak. While the Bulldogs look to bounce back after being swept by Texas in Austin last weekend.
Georgia head coach Wes Johnson, an Arkansas native, spent the 2017-18 season as the Razorbacks’ pitching coach under head coach Dave Van Horn. This weekend marks the first time the two will meet as opposing head coaches.
Previewing Georgia
The Bulldogs lead the country with 92 home runs this season, featuring 11 players with multiple homers. Ryland Zaborowski and Robbie Burnett headline Georgia’s offense, each hitting 15 home runs and collecting 51 RBI. As a team, Georgia is batting .315 with a .453 on-base percentage.
Despite their offensive power, Georgia’s pitching staff has been effective as well. They post a 4.76 team ERA while holding opponents to a .225 batting average. Game 1 starter Brian Curley has a 3.45 ERA in 28 2/3 inning. He comes in with a team-high 38 strikeouts and just 13 hits allowed. Kolten Smith will start Game 2 for the Bulldogs. He carries a 4.34 ERA in 18 2/3 innings with 28 strikeouts and 15 hits allowed. Leighton Finley will take the mound in Game 3, owning a 6.44 ERA in 29 1/3 innings with 32 strikeouts and 28 hits surrendered.
Previewing Arkansas
Arkansas enters the series swinging the bat well, hitting .335 as a team with a .449 on-base percentage. The Razorbacks rank fourth nationally with 74 home runs, with three players reaching double digits and two more sitting at nine. Cam Kozeal leads the team with a .411 average among starters, while Charles Davalan is just behind at .410 and leads the Hogs with 12 home runs.
On the mound, Arkansas owns a 3.52 team ERA and is holding opponents to a .226 batting average. Zach Root will start Game 1 and leads the team with 60 strikeouts in 44 innings, alongside a 3.48 ERA. Gabe Gaeckle will take the ball for Game 2 with a 5.77 ERA in 34 1/3 innings, 40 strikeouts and 32 hits allowed. Landon Beidelschies will start the finale, carrying a 3.82 ERA in 35 1/3 innings with 36 strikeouts, 36 hits and a team-low 10 walks among weekend starters.
Broadcast Information
Game 1: April 11, 5 p.m. CDT (SEC Network+)
Game 2: April 12, 3 p.m. CDT (SEC Network+)
Game 3: April 13, 12 p.m. CDT (SEC Network+)