Dawgs Get One, But Could Have Had More

I know what I said Friday.  We should be happy with Friday night's 6-3 win, powered by Holder's great pitching and Joey Lewis's grand slam.  I suppose we can't complain too much about losing the series.  The Diamond Dawgs still lead the SEC, but they are now tied for first instead of leading the league by a few games.  Given what could have happened, I guess we should still be OK with the weekend.  The problem is it should have been a series win for us. 

Even if I ignore that we blew a 5-1 lead Saturday, it was still 8-7 after the seventh.  Bryce Massanari was the second Bulldog to hit three HRs in a single game this week and powered UGA with five RBIs.  It still wasn't enough.  A whirl of walks, wild pitches, and a pass ball helped Ole Miss, who is already a good team, score three runs in the bottom of the eighth to win 10-8.  Justin Earls just couldn't keep it together out there and it cost us a big road win and the series.  Saturday's game was there for the taking and we blew it.  I don't know what was wrong with Dean Weaver there, but I'd rather blow it with our ace reliever. 

Not that I expected to beat Scott Biddle today, but Ole Miss led 2-1 after the first on a Chase Davidson drop in rightfield and Perno pulled him shortly thereafter.  I'm not sure when he'll be back.  Peter Verdin looked alright out there in the first two games.  Justin Grimm pitched fine, but just got a bad matchup with Biddle and, hence, no run support.  Ole Miss was just better Sunday.

Given the performances turned in when the Dawgs have played top teams, one would have to agree that Georgia is a good team.  But, you can also conclude that we make too many mistakes to win a championship, conference or otherwise.  The lower part of our order is unreliable.  We walk too many batters.  We strike out too much.  Our defense is average to below average.  Despite these flaws, we've been leading the SEC most of the year.  You just wonder how much longer that can last. 

The series loss coupled with LSU's sweep of Auburn puts the Dawgs and Tigers in a tie for first in the league.  Three teams are stalking, Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Florida.  The Rebs and Gators are only a game back and the Gators get both UGA and LSU before the season's over.  The Dawgs get a chance to avenge last week's loss at Jacksonville State Wednesday night before the Gators come in for another big home series this weekend.

Quinton