The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: RICHARD HAMM Georgia catcher Bryce Massanari takes a break between batters during the game against East Tennessee State. [Click to enlarge]

There's a big difference between Athens and Las Vegas. Most people wouldn't need someone to tell them that, but take it from Bryce Massanari. It's definitely different.

"The people in Athens are a lot nicer," said Massanari, a junior catcher who transferred from a Las Vegas community college prior to this season.

"People don't have as much road rage, and it's just more peaceful and laid-back."

Massanari is hitting .304 with four home runs and 30 RBI in his first season in the SEC.

"I knew he was an offensive guy, matter of fact I expected him to do more as far as power goes," head coach Dave Perno said. "And I think he will down the stretch. He's just a born hitter."

Massanari has split time with catcher and designated hitter duties this season. His solid performance in the five-hole of the Diamond Dog lineup hasn't come as a surprise.

"I wouldn't have come all the way out to Georgia if my expectations weren't high for myself," said Massanari, a 41st-round draft pick out of high school for the Philadelphia Phillies.

As to which he would prefer, the 6-foot-2 inch, 215-pounder said he would much rather spend the game behind the plate than waiting for a few sparse at-bats as the DH.

"I like catching a lot more. You're just involved in every part of the game and it's what I've done my whole life," he said. "I like being able to communicate with the pitchers and help them out. When you're DHing, it sucks because your whole day thrives on if you hit well."

During high school, Massanari set the Nevada prep record for hits with 222, and he's developed a penchant for clutch hits during his time in Athens. He'll need to continue that trend even more soon - his wife is due to have a baby in two weeks.

"To be honest with you, I was terrified at first," he said about being a father. "But now I'm just really excited. The players' parents threw me a big old shower, and I know it's going to be hard but I'm excited."

The Diamond Dogs (27-12-1, 14-3-1 SEC) lead the SEC and are at No. 5 in Collegiate Baseball's poll this week. They're on an 11-game conference unbeaten streak after a 10-10 tie with LSU on Sunday, and have yet to lose an SEC series.

But they face Kennesaw State (21-20) tonight, a team that they split a home-and-home series with earlier this season and one that always plays them tight. The Owls' roster consists of 27 players from Georgia, some of which surely think they could be playing in Athens.

Perno said that chance to perform in front of a home state crowd and show what they can do is always extra motivation for Kennesaw's players.

"It's a huge motivation for them, and it should be," he said.

"That's why they've always been good games. They always play well against us and I expect [tonight] to be no different."

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