Oct. 3, 2012

ATHENS----The Georgia Bulldog baseball team will have 32 home games in 2013 featuring SEC series with Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri and Vanderbilt.

The 56-game college baseball season begins Feb. 15. Georgia will start with a road series against Georgia Southern. However, the Bulldogs will play 14 of their first 17 games at Foley Field. Georgia's home opener will be Feb. 20 against Kennesaw State.

Georgia's first SEC action will be on the road against league newcomer Texas A&M (March 15-17). The Bulldogs other four SEC road series are versus Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee and South Carolina. After the series with the Aggies, Georgia plays host to the Crimson Tide (March 22-24). New SEC Eastern Division member Missouri comes to Athens for a series April 5-7. The Bulldogs non-conference slate again features rivals Clemson and Georgia Tech.  Georgia faces the Yellow Jackets at Foley Field on April 9, and it will head to Atlanta on May 14. The Turner Field game against Tech that benefits Children's Healthcare of Atlanta is set for April 23.

"We've got 17 games before SEC play begins, and then we'll get our first look at Texas A&M," said Georgia coach David Perno.  "We've never played the Aggies so that will be a new experience for us and our fans making the trip. So far this fall, we like how our team is shaping up. We've got a good mix of veterans to go with some new guys who are showing they will be able to help us." 

Georgia baseball season tickets go on sale Nov. 15. Fans can order online at www.georgiadogs.com or by calling 877-542-1231. 

The Bulldogs return 20 lettermen including six starting position players and 10 pitchers who saw action in 2012. The lineup will feature the leading hitters from a year ago in All-SEC senior third baseman Curt Powell (.355-2-20), senior shortstop Kyle Farmer (.302-4-41) and senior catcher Brett DeLoach (.303-1-21). This trio helped the Bulldogs set a school record .978 fielding percentage. On the mound, Georgia's veterans include senior left-hander Blake Dieterich (3-4, 3.52 ERA, 7 Saves) and senior right-hander Bryan Benzor (5-4, 4.95 ERA, 2 Saves). Outfielder Hunter Cole (.276-7-23) and right-hander Luke Crumley (3-2, 3.86 ERA) highlight a large contingent of Bulldogs that saw their first collegiate action in 2012. Cole earned Freshman All-America honors.

Currently, Georgia is conducting fall practice, and it will end with the Red-Black seven-game series slated Oct. 13-23.

2013 GEORGIA BASEBALL SCHEDULE

All times Eastern and subject to change; Home games in bold; *SEC games
>&Turner Field, Atlanta, Ga.; **Hoover, Ala.; >NCAA Sites TBA; $Omaha, Neb.