Spring Break
Diamond Dogs trail in race for last Hoover spot
JAMIE CWALINSKI
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: Sports
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This spring, the Birmingham suburb and site of the SEC baseball tournament has felt worlds away for the young Diamond Dogs.
With just a 7-14 record in conference play, what was once "Destination: Omaha" has become "Destination: Birmingham."
Only eight of the 12 teams in the conference reach the SEC tournament - the top two from each division and the four with the next best records.
At the moment, Georgia (17-28, 7-14 SEC) trails Kentucky by three games for the final at-large slot and is in danger of missing the tournament for the third time in the last eight seasons.
With nine games remaining against conference foes, it would be a humongous boost to the freshman-laden Diamond Dogs' push to earn a postseason berth.
"(The struggles) are part of the growing process," head coach David Perno said following Sunday's game.
"I feel bad for some of the kids that have been playing well lately."
DIAMOND DOGS
Georgia (17-28, 7-14 SEC)
vs. Wofford
Tonight, 5 p.m., Foley Field
Free admission for students with UGA ID
Radio: 960 AM
Remainder of Spring Schedule
May 4: vs. No. 1 Vanderbilt, 6 p.m.
May 5: vs. Vanderbilt, 2 p.m.
May 6: vs. Vanderbilt, 3 p.m.
(CSS)
May 9: vs. Ga. Tech, 7 p.m. (CSS)
May 11: vs. Miss. St., 7 p.m.
(CSS)
May 12: vs. Miss. St., 2 p.m.
May 13: vs. Miss. St.. 2 p.m.
May 17: at No. 14 South Carolina, 7 p.m.
May 18: at South Carolina, 7 p.m.
May 19: at South Carolina, 4 p.m. (FSN)
Presenting an even more uphill battle for Georgia's hopes to rally is just who is awaiting the team in its final nine conference bouts.
Before hosting Mississippi State (who has teetered around the Top 25 all season) and No. 14 South Carolina to round out the season, the Diamond Dogs await three at home against No. 1 Vanderbilt this weekend.
"If you can't get ready to play the number one team in the nation, you don't belong in our program," Perno said.
Georgia will get one final tune-up before the Commodores invade tonight against Wofford (21-24).
Offensively, the Diamond Dogs have found some momentum, batting .355 in this past weekend's series at Kentucky.
Both third baseman Ryan Peisel and catcher Joey Lewis batted .500 over five games last week.
Peisel is currently in the midst of a career-high 12-game hitting streak, while Lewis has hits in his last nine contests.
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