No.24 Clemson at No. 5 Georgia

WHEN: Tuesday, 7 p.m.

WHERE: Foley Field RECORDS: Georgia 29-8, Clemson 25-11

TV/RADIO: SEC Network/Georgia Bulldog Radio Network

It appears there’s going to be a change atop the batting order for the fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.

Monday, Georgia’s head coach told UGASports he’s ready to plug Tucker Maxwell into the leadoff role fulltime after his and the team’s success last Tuesday night against Georgia Tech and Saturday afternoon against Tennessee

“I think we’ll leave him in there,” Stricklin said. “I think we’re seeing a lefty tomorrow against Clemson, but regardless, I think I’m going to leave him in there.”

Stricklin’s reasoning is simple.

When Maxwell – who has been the Bulldogs’ nine-hole hitter for most of the year – led off for the first time last week against Georgia Tech and again Saturday at Tennessee – Georgia won both games, by the respective scores of 12-2 and 7-1.

In those two contests, Maxwell went a combined 3-for-8 with a homer, four runs scored and two of his 17 stolen bases.

So, what was originally done as a way to take some of the pressure off a struggling Cam Shepherd – who has led off in all but two Georgia’s 37 games – will least for now become a regular thing.

“On Tuesday, we put him (Maxwell) in there and that was more to give Cam a different look, get him out of the leadoff spot and let him change things up,” said Stricklin, who dropped Shepherd to the No. 6 spot. “I put Cam back in the leadoff spot on Thursday just because (Tennessee lefty Garrett) Crochet is so good against lefties, and that was the reason I did it. Cam swung the bat well so I left him in there, but we went 0-2. He swung the bat better but we went 0-2. I just kind of smacked myself after that, got kind of mad at myself trying to outthink things and just went back to what worked on Tuesday against Georgia Tech with that same lineup and that worked out.”

Stricklin’s fingers are crossed that the move will continue to pay off.

Maxwell’s one of the more dynamic players in the SEC. Although he’s struck out a team-high 35 times in 107 at-bats, the junior also leads the Bulldogs in home runs with seven and has stolen 17 bases out of 18 attempts.

“He’s really good, but the bottom line is, when Tucker is locked in, he’s trusting his hands, not swinging at bad pitches, he’s taking some walks and he’s really good. When he struggles, he swings and misses and when you’re a leadoff guy, you don’t want a lot of swing and miss,” Stricklin said. “Tucker can do that sometimes but he also can put a charge into one like he did against Tech, and he opens the game on Saturday with a walk and a stolen base. He can do a lot of things, and when he’s on, he can do a lot of things.”

Georgia’s head coach said he didn’t sense any nerves after his team dropped the first two games of its series at Tennessee before coming back to win Saturday’s finale 7-1.

“We didn’t play well, but there was no panic, just a lot of guys with kind of stern looks on their faces and we showed up on Saturday ready to play, said Stricklin, whose Bulldogs lost on Thursday and Friday by the scores of 2-0 and 3-0.

“I told them, ‘I don’t worry about this team,’” he said. “I said ‘I’m not worried about you guys because I know you’re going to show up and be ready to play. We’ve got too many older guys, too many veteran players with too much experience to panic and I know you’re not going to.’ That’s exactly what I said to them and that was it. They showed up the next day and right from the first pitch we were ready to go and pretty much dominated that game. We got on the bus feeling a little better about ourselves for sure.”

Despite the losses, Georgia (29-8) not only remains atop the East Division with a conference record of 10-5, but also boast the top overall SEC mark, one-half game ahead of Mississippi State.

“We’re halfway through the season and in first place and I think every single Georgia fan, player and coach is taking that in a heartbeat if you would have told us that five weeks ago with all the injuries that we’re in first place,” Stricklin said. “We’re in really good shape.”

Left-handed pitcher Ryan Webb was scheduled to throw one more bullpen session today and if all goes well be able to go for Georgia’s next SEC series that gets started Thursday night against Missouri.

“We just want to make sure that when he gets in there to pitch that he will be ready to go with some experience against hitters,” Stricklin said. “But he is really close.”

Webb hasn’t pitched since coming down with what’s been described as tired arm after giving up a run in 2.1 innings back on March 6 against Jacksonville State.

A healthy Webb figures to bolster a Bulldog bullpen, which continues do excellent work.

Along with closer Aaron Schunk – who leads the SEC with 10 saves – the main corps of Georgia’s bullpen that also includes Zac Kristofak (3-0, 4.44), who has allowed just one run in his last seven innings with 10 strikeouts along with Justin Glover (1-0, 2.03) have been solid while freshman flamethrower Cole Wilcox (0-0, 5.13) is starting to pitch with more confidence.

“No question. He (Wilcox) just keeps getting better and just his stuff is so good and now he’s starting to command it better. He’s getting ahead of hitters a little bit more and he wants the ball. He’s a competitor. I’ve been really pleased with his progress and he keeps getting better, and he’s fresh, too,” Stricklin said. “He hasn’t thrown a ton of innings and when we get down here down the stretch, get Ryan Webb healthy, Cole Wilcox, and Zac Kristofak is fresh, Aaron Schunk did not pitch this weekend, so he’s fresh. Our bullpen is in good shape right now and we like where we’re sitting.”

…Despite going 2-2 last week, Georgia only dropped to No. 4 and No. 5, respectively, in the Baseball America and DIBaseball Top 25.

…Georgia leads the SEC in pitching with a team ERA of 2.78. Georgia is hitting .273, which ranks sixth in the SEC.

…Emerson Hancock leads the SEC with an ERA of 1.18. Tony Locey is ninth with an ERA of 1.93. Locey and midweek starter Tim Elliott are tied for the SEC in opponents’ batting average at .143. Hancock is right behind at .146.

After Tuesday night’s home game against Clemson, Georgia hosts Missouri for three straight starting Thursday night.

Don’t take the Tigers lightly.

Mizzou just took two of three games from LSU, and feature likely first-round pick TJ Sikkema, who is 4-2 with an ERA of 1.27 with 64 strikeouts in 56.2 innings pitched. The Tigers are tied with Texas A&M for second in team ERA behind Georgia at 2.88.