When Georgia coach Wes Johnson dipped into the transfer portal before the 2026 season, he was on the hunt for players with top-tier plate discipline and a knack for hitting for average. Turns out, they brought some serious power to the plate as well.
The Bulldogs launched five home runs in their commanding 12-4 victory over Samford on Saturday, sending baseballs soaring into the trees at Foley Field. The crowd, especially a group of enthusiastic kids chanting "feed the trees" from the first base line, couldn't have been happier.
Second baseman Michael O'Shaughnessy, who knocked out his first homer of the season in the third inning, summed up the team spirit: "I love it here, man. The whole lineup is great. Everyone is a dog, and everyone competes and fights."
Despite losing six of their starting nine hitters from the 2025 season finale, Georgia has managed to retain its power. The Bulldogs have already tallied 18 home runs in just six games, averaging a solid three homers per contest.
This depth in the lineup eases the pressure on individual hitters, allowing them to focus on their approach without feeling the need to be the sole hero. The strategy paid off on Saturday with a 13-hit, 14-run performance, marking their fourth game of the season scoring 10 or more runs.
Left fielder Henry Allen, who hit his third home run of the season in the first inning, highlighted the team’s depth: "It helps you a lot because you know the guy behind you is going to pick you up if you have a bad at-bat. The depth we have in these guys is awesome to play with."
Backing up the potent offense, Georgia’s pitching staff delivered once again. Right-hander Matt Scott provided a solid start, allowing just one run over four innings. Much like his teammate Joey Volchko the previous day, Scott kept Samford off balance with a mix of offspeed pitches.
When right-hander Caden Aoki took over in the fifth inning, he initially hit a rough patch, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks. His usually effective slower pitches, which had netted him eight strikeouts in relief on Opening Day, initially faltered after Scott’s exit.
However, Aoki quickly found his groove, shutting down Samford over his final three innings with just two hits and no runs allowed.
Volchko had high praise for Aoki earlier this season, saying, "He's an absolute master of his craft. It's impressive watching him pitch."
Georgia’s combination of explosive offense and resilient pitching is setting a high bar early in the season, and if they keep this up, they’re poised to be a formidable force on the field.