So, UGA lost to GT a couple nights ago, they lost the season series to the Jackets for the 3rd year in a row I do believe, I think it is like 7 of the last 8 years. It is CLEARLY obvious which in state school has the most consistent baseball program. Now, Coach Perno did lead us to within a win of the college world series title what 4 years ago, has led us to multiple trips to Omaha, but this was the worst GT team probably since Perno took over as our coach. Why am I using the season series againt GT as a barometer-simply put because GT and UGA in baseball are on equal ground moreso than any other major sport. Yes, they have the "academic" issues still involved-and college baseball players are fully aware coming into to school that they MUST stay for 3 years before the draft, but the fact the scholarship limits are the same, both schools are able to use the Hope scholarship to their advantage, this state produces a boat load of HIGH LEVEL baseball talent, I think it is only fitting we compare the two programs. While UGA has actually had more success in the NCAA tourney, GT reaches the tourney every year-UGA has had several LOSING seasons under Perno. This brings us back to this year-UGA came into this season highly ranked-returning the bulk of a team that made the NCAA tourney last year, although if you remember, they had to make quite a run in the SEC tourney to make the big tourney. Still, several stud pitchers and position players coming back, a schedule that included the bulk of the early season at home, just a lot of positives. This season is not a train wreck and I still believe they can make the NCAA tourney-first they MUST make the SEC tourney, but certainly it has been a struggle. In SEC play, they currently sit with a record of 12-12 with South Carolina-two time defending champs coming to town this weekend. Overall record is 28-21. South Carolina btw, leads the east with a 16-8 conference mark. SO, this weekend will be a TOUGH task. Last weekend, they certainly did a great job sweeping Auburn, that put them at 12-12, that coming after two straight TOUGH road trips, first to Gainesville and then Baton Rouge, losing some tight close games in both series, but they did manage to avoid sweeps at both locations. We now get back to GT, UGA had won 4 in row heading into that game, with a chance to finally take a season series with them. They fell behind early and although they rallied, they lost 8-6. The lost at Turner Field earlier in the season 4-3, in a game they let slip away. To me, this weekend is a pivotol one for David Perno as head coach at UGA. If they lose 2 of 3 or get swept, that to me will put him on the hot seat. I feel like he MUST make the NCAA tourney this year or McGarity might just have to make a move. Last year they made it, but BARELY. This year with higher expectations, to not make it would be a serious blow. Here are the latest standings for the SEC, keep in mind UGA closes the season at Bama, who is not a good team so there is hope to build something if they could take the series this weekend. You can see, UGA stands tied for 5th right now-only the top 8 make the tourney.
So, I think the last two weekends of the season are HUGE for the Diamond Dogs and the future of David Perno. Because McGarity did not hire ANY of our current head coaches in the three big mens sports, I do wonder how much stability any of these three guys have with their job security. Coach Richt appears to have righted the ship and will get a contract extension soon-but then again, schools HAVE to give extensions this day and age for recruiting purposes. Coach Fox had a pretty bad season recently, but he got a little bump due to his NCAA tourney appearance the year before. That being said, I believe the 2012-13 season is going to be big for Coach Fox. I hope Coach Perno and his team can start a nice winning streak going forward and make a run in the tourney-I am pulling for them. But, the losses to GT, the losses earlier in the year to Vandy, Tenn, Ark, getting swept at home by UCLA (yes, a good team but you should not get swept at home), I am not sure if Perno is safe any longer. All for now. Hope everyone has a great weekend and GO DOGS!
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