2001 Review

In year two of the Ron Polk era at the University of Georgia, the Bulldogs returned to the College World Series plus captured the Southeastern Conference championship. The Bulldogs posted a 47-22 overall record including 20-10 in SEC play.

Here are few of the highlights from the 2001 season:

• First College World Series appearance since 1990
• Most victories since 1990 when the Bulldogs won the CWS at 52-19
• First NCAA Regional Tournament appearance since 1992
• First-time Host for NCAA Regional and Super-Regional
• The SEC title, a first for Georgia since 1954
• School record 20 SEC wins
• All-time Home Attendance Record of more than 87,000 fans

The Bulldogs gave their fans plenty of exciting contests and more often than not won at Foley Field. Georgia went 36-10 at home including 10 walk-off wins. The Bulldogs won 16 games in their final at-bat and were 16-5 in one-run games. Georgia was an SEC-best 20-13 against ranked teams. They set school season records for hits (743), at-bats (2,477), walks (376) and tied the mark for grand slams (six). On the mound, the Bulldogs posted records for innings pitched (625) and strikeouts (530).

Offensively, junior shortstop Jeff Keppinger, a fourth round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, put together one of the finest seasons ever by a Bulldog. He earned most valuable player honors batting .389 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI, all team-highs. He set a Bulldog single season record with 102 hits and 181 total bases and fell one RBI shy of owning that mark too.

In Georgia's 10-game NCAA post-season, Keppinger's feats looked to come straight out of Hollywood. He batted .500 (23-for-46) with nine home runs, 16 RBI and a perfect fielding percentage in 38 total chances.

On the mound, junior Jeremy Brown led the staff in 2001 going 7-4 with a 4.50 ERA and four complete games. A fifth round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins, Brown earned most valuable pitcher honors. Junior Jeffery Carswell was the team's top reliever going 10-2 with a 3.32 ERA.

In the career record book, junior Doc Brooks etched his spot in Georgia history, tallying 45 home runs to tie the mark set by former All-America catcher Roger Miller. Senior infielder Mark Thornhill closed out his career as a four-year starter, appearing in 226 games with 276 hits, both marks that rank third best in school history.

CURRENT BULLDOGS IN THE 2001 BASEBALL AMATEUR DRAFT

• Jeff Keppinger, 4th Round: Pittsburgh Pirates
• Jeremy Brown, 5th Round: Minnesota Twins
• Doc Brooks, 7th Round: San Diego Padres
• Rob Moravek, 10th Round: Texas Rangers
• Andy Neufeld, 25th Round: Oakland A's
• Brandon Moorhead, 42nd Round: Cincinnati Reds