Bulldogs add two key pieces for 2025 squad
Georgia may be getting ready for its Super Regional date with North Carolina State but that hasn’t kept the Bulldogs from paying close attention to the transfer portal.
Thursday, the Bulldogs received a commitment from Miami-Ohio infielder/outfielder Ryland Zaborowski, who led the Mid-American Conference two years ago with 20 home runs, UGASports has confirmed.
Georgia wasn't done.
Later Thursday, Georgia native Charlie Jones - a first baseman with the Air Force Academy - announced he was transferring to the Bulldogs.
"Georgia was definitely my top school when I went in there," Jones said in a telephone interview with UGASports.
It did not take Georgia long to reach out.
"It took two days. I was hoping they'd give me a call when I got the follow on Twitter from Coach (Will) Coggin)," Jones said. "When he called I said I've got to go for it. Two days later after I entered I got my first contact with them, which was awesome."
Jones, who played at Kings Ridge Christian in Cumming, hit .344 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI despite missing the first three weeks of the season with a back injury.
He's completely healthy now.
"It was a little back tweak," Jones said. "But we're all good now."
The Bulldogs weren't the only school to reach out. Jones said he also received interest from schools that included Texas, Georgia Tech, and Rutgers.
"I've never seen anyone work harder in the weight room than he does," Jones said. "I'm definitely glad it paid off. It's fun watching him play ball.
They become Georgia’s fourth and fifth additions since the portal for baseball opened last week, joining Georgia State pitcher Blake Chastain, USC-Aiken pitcher Justin Byrd, and Chipola infielder Knox Bennett, younger brother of former Bulldog quarterback Stetson Bennett. Knox Bennett will be a walk-on.
At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Zaborowski led the MAC in home runs two years ago with 20, before hitting 10 in 2024.
His last two seasons with the Red Hawks saw him bat .300 and .305, respectively. In his first game for Miami-Ohio in 2023, he hit two home runs against Georgia Tech.
