I believe Mother nature smiled on UGA last weekend on Mother's Day, or you could say she did the baseball program no favors as well-I can see either point of view as legit and logical. UGA/South Carolina split the first two games of their series last week in Athens. Game 3 on Sunday was washed away, as the area finally got a big rain storm after it seems MONTHS of dryness. So, depending on the way you look at it, that was a good or bad thing for our baseball team. Good in the fact we didn't lose but bad in that we didn't win-and a win against an opponent the level of South Carolina-two time defending national champ would have been HUGE. Take a series against them would have been huge but the negative side of me believes we likely would have lost the third game and thus it was a break NOT to play it. The fact we now play one of the worst teams in the SEC to close things out, I would take a split of the two games and be happy with it. The team got a big win last night in Alabama, winning 8-4 and will play two more before the SEC tourney starts next week in Hoover. Record now stands at 31-22 and 14-13 in conference play. We win one more, we get to the magic 15 win mark and now that we didn't play the SC game on Sunday, would assure a winning SEC record and almost be a guaranteed spot in the NCAA tourney.
So far I have seen us as the #2 seeds in two different locations (regionals). One was at FSU one was at UNC. It is pretty evident that for the most part (last year being the exception) it seems EVERY year we make the NCAA tourney we are paired with an ACC opponent. Course we have been paired with GT a lot, with FSU, with NCST before, they just seem to like to do that in the regionals and it does make a lot of sense to get fans to the ballpark. As for this year, I actually think this team is built to be a pretty good tourney team, at least initially. The #1 and #2 starters are very good and keep the team in most games. The lineup has enough solid hitters along with just enough pop to get the job done. BUT, this group has not been overly consistent to me. They have played a lot of tight games against good opponents but they have found ways to lose more often than win. Therefore, I don't hold out hope of this team getting to the super regional round but it will really depend on the regional and who they match up with.
A football note, UGA has hired Daryl Jones as the new on campus recruiting coordinator. Here is a little background on Coach Jones-
ATHENS --- Daryl Jones, veteran high school coach and athletic director with 17 years in the state of Georgia system, has been named Director Of On-Campus Recruiting according to an announcement Thursday by UGA head football coach Mark Richt.
"We're extremely fortunate to have Daryl joining our staff," said Richt. "He's a veteran high school coach and administrator who has a complete understanding of the recruiting process along with the relationships between the university and the high schools. He'll be a great addition to our staff in the areas of high school relations and directing our on-campus recruiting efforts."
A native of Ocala, Fla., Jones played wide receiver and was a decathlete at Long Island University C. W. Post where he earned his bachelors degree in political science and education. From 1990 to 1995, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at Hofstra and Duke, followed by the University of Maryland where he was a graduate assistant coach and earned his masters degree in educational administration.
He spent the next 17 years in the state of Georgia coaching system beginning as an assistant high school football coach at Glynn Academy in Brunswick, Ga. He later served as head football coach and athletic director at Griffin High School, Wayne County High School and North Oconee High School. Jones also served as assistant football coach and student support coordinator at Oconee County High School and assistant coach at Grayson High School.
Jones was named Georgia High School Athletic Director of the Year in 2005 and was the Under Armour manager of football camps, combines and the 7on7 projects, during which he was a two-time assistant coach of the Under Armour All-America Game.
So what do I think of this hire, HOME RUN!! Great job by Greg McGarity and Coach Richt-at one point it was thought they were going in the direction of the recruiting "experts"-nothing against those guys but they don't hold a candle to the experience Daryl Jones has when it comes to ACTUAL recruiting and not just ranking players and provide a service for their customers. This guy has coached, has been an AD, has worked camps, in other words, he has COORDINATED an operation and will bring a lot to this position. This guy is obviously very well connected, well organized, knows the recruiting game well, knows HS coaches all over the region, he knows how to get the job done. Our coaches will still be selling the program to recruits but this guy will become a focal point for our recruiting operation-one that is already one of the best, this just makes it even better. I know from living in Grayson and from a couple contacts I have, this guy is a solid person all the way around. Not sure he will impact the recruitment of Robert Nkemdiche but he does know Robert and also is close with the Grayson HC. But you look at where he has worked, it is spread out throughout the state-from the coast in Brunswick, to a powerful area like Griffin, to a Gwinnett power in Grayson, working with Under Armour, this guy is going to be great.
All for now, hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, GO DOGS!
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