Joey Volchko Sparks Georgia's 5 p.m. Uga Baseball Start
uga baseball opened its regional game against Long Island University with a first pitch projected for 5 p.m., and Georgia turned to Joey Volchko on the mound. The Bulldogs entered the matchup as the SEC regular season and tournament champion, carrying a 46-12 record into NCAA regional play.
Volchko Opens For Georgia
Volchko handled the first inning cleanly, striking out Noah Sorensen, Rivera, and Fairchild in order. Long Island University sent Nicholas Finarelli to the mound at the same time, setting up a starter-versus-starter opening that immediately tilted toward Georgia.
Tre Phelps also set the tone for the Bulldogs by drawing a walk to begin the bottom of the inning. Georgia put pressure on Finarelli right away, but the inning ended with the bases loaded and the game still scoreless at 0-0.
Georgia's 46-12 Resume
The first regional game carried a clear contrast in resumes. Georgia finished the regular season at 46-12 and went 23-7 in conference play, while also winning every SEC road series during the regular season.
The Bulldogs added the SEC tournament title by beating Arkansas in the championship game. That run paired with the regular season crown gave Georgia a top-line entry into the regional, and it put immediate weight on the early innings against a Long Island University team that finished 30-20.
Long Island University At 30-20
Long Island University entered at 30-20 and 26-7 in conference play as the Northeast Conference representative. Finarelli’s start had to survive Georgia’s first-inning traffic, and the opening frame showed how little room there was for mistakes with the hosts already threatening before the inning closed.
For Georgia, the early formula was straightforward: Volchko attacked the zone, the bullpen situation stayed untouched, and the offense put runners on. For Long Island University, the challenge was sharper — absorb the first wave and avoid letting Georgia’s recent run through the SEC turn into an early regional gap.
