The Red and Black

By JOSH KATZOWITZ Staff Writer

Weekend home series for the Diamond Dogs usually mean a top 20 Southeastern Conference team is coming to town. This weekend is no different as the Dogs hope to sink their teeth into the 18th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers when they arrive at Foley Field today at 7 p.m.

"We want to beat them bad, because they embarrassed us last year," first baseman Andy Osbolt said. "It's personal for the guys who were here last year, and we want revenge."

The anguish the Bulldogs suffered last year occurred in Knoxville when the Dogs were swept by Tennessee and were outscored 44-12 by the then eighth-ranked Vols, including a 28-10 shellacking on Saturday.

"They humiliated us and rubbed our noses in it," Osbolt said.

The Dogs (17-12, 4-8 SEC) also look to end Tennessee's 17-game domination over them dating back to 1993.

Head coach Robert Sapp said that Georgia will have to match Tennessee's hitting prowess.

"Tennessee is a top 20 team and an outstanding hitting team," Sapp said. "We're going to have to hit great, and we're going to have to play good defense."

Maybe the Diamond Dog's highest priority in this weekend's series will be to lower the team's 9.73 ERA against SEC opponents. Also, Georgia hurlers will have to keep Tennessee's batted balls in the park if they want to win as they have allowed 31 home runs in 12 SEC games.

"We're used to playing tough teams," Sapp said. "We're just going to try to build our pitchers' confidence."

Georgia will start junior Zack Frachiseur (3-3) on Friday and tentatively junior Cliff Brand Saturday. Sunday's starter has yet to be announced.

Tennessee is coming off a rough weekend series with No. 4 Florida, losing two of three in Knoxville. But the Vols rebounded with wins over East Tennessee St. (9-5) and Tennessee Wesleyan (20-0) to raise their record to 23-9. The Vols are 6-6 in conference play.

Saturday's game will begin at 4 p.m., and Sunday's game will start at 2 p.m.

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