Following back to back weekends in which Georgia Tech was featured in the highest ranked series in college baseball, they have another tall task in front of them as they will take on #5 (D1 Baseball) Georgia in the highest ranked mid-week match-up of the week. While these two programs have a long history with each other as in-state rivals, this is just the second edition of the “Spring Classic” held at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. In the first edition a year ago, Georgia left Truist Park winners by a score of 5-2. Georgia has defeated the Jackets in four straight games dating back to an early-season series in 2024, and includes a playoff win in the Athens regional final in 2024.
If there was a time as good as any for the Jackets to restore their fortune against the Bulldogs, it would be on Tuesday night as they have never been ranked this high heading into a match-up with Georgia. It’s also the first time in program history that these two teams are meeting as top five ranked opponents.
Neither team has announced a starting pitcher yet, but that might not matter because this match-up is bound to be a barn burner considering the prowess of both of these offenses. Georgia Tech as a team still leads the nation with a .354 batting average and a .470 on-base percentage, while Georgia leads the country with a .627 slugging percentage with Georgia Tech trailing right behind at .620. Georgia also ranks within the top six in both batting average at .324 and on-base percentage at .443.
Georgia’s 113 home runs comfortably lead the country. The difference between Georgia and the second place team in home runs is the same difference between the second place team and the 35th ranked team in home runs. They have six different hitters into the double digits in long balls to this point, with catcher Daniel Jackson leading the way with an SEC-leading 20 which also ranks fifth in the country. Third baseman Tre Phelps and first baseman Brennan Hudson don’t trail too far behind Jackson in terms of offensive production as they’ve both hit 14 home runs and are only separated by 10 points in OPS with Hudson at 1.233 and Phelps at 1.223. Five more everyday regulars for the Bulldogs have an OPS north of 1.000.
As for Georgia Tech, despite a single series low run total against North Carolina over the weekend, the lineup is still full of hitters with outstanding numbers. Ryan Zuckerman is slowly pulling away from Vahn Lackey for the team lead in home runs with 14 to Lackey’s 12 after they’ve flip-flopped with each other all year. Lackey still leads the team in OPS at 1.194 despite a couple of lackluster weekends at the plate for him as of late. Tuesday night will be an excellent chance for him to heat back up. Carson Kerce the doubles machine unfortunately went without a two-bagger over the weekend, just the second time this year he didn’t double in a series, but still sits ranked second in the nation in doubles, trailing the leader by just one with 21. Jarren Advincula remains as one of the most consistent “pure” hitters in college baseball as his .415 batting average leads all qualified Jackets hitters, ranks second in the ACC, and 12th in the country. He’s also one of six everyday regulars with more walks than strikeouts on the season, the other five being Vahn Lackey, Drew Burress, Kent Schmidt, Will Baker, and Carson Kerce.
Between the offenses of Georgia and Georgia Tech alone, Tuesday night’s game will feature a handful of legitimate MLB Draft prospects. There are five players that have legitimate steam as potential first round picks while there are about five more that are potential day one picks. With that being said, this game is a big one for scouts and any draft followers.
While both offenses will likely be in full force on Tuesday, the Jackets have got to feel good about their chances of closing a game out if they can get out to a comfortable lead given the recent success of their bullpen. Brett Barfield and Caden Gaudette have made the most appearances out of the bullpen thus far, and Barfield leads the unit with a 1.38 ERA while Gaudette owns a 2.86. Mason Patel who is currently working on a 13.2 scoreless inning streak is likely unavailable on Tuesday after throwing four innings on Sunday, but guys like Dylan Loy and Dimitri Angelakos who have put together solid seasons will likely factor into the mix. Carson Ballard and Justin Shadek are two more relievers that have shown some flashes and have been solid as of late who should be available to provide an inning or two.
Tuesday night’s Spring Classic should be an exciting one! Check back here after the game for a recap and subscribe below to be notified of new posts!
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