Toledo at Georgia
WHEN: Friday 6 p.m., Saturday 2 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.
WHERE: Foley Field
RECORDS: Georgia 8-5; Toledo 3-8
STARTING ROTATION: Georgia: Friday - Chase Adkins (1-0, 2.93), Saturday – Emerson Hancock (0-1, 5.06), Sunday – Ryan Webb (0-1, 4.00)
With one weekend to go before the start of SEC play, Georgia skipper Scott Stricklin is shaking up his pitching staff.
Not only will the starting rotation for the three-game series starting Friday against Toledo feature a different look, but third baseman Aaron Schunk is set to take over as the team’s closer.
“Coach Stricklin always talked about being a two-way guy, and how being versatile gives you an opportunity to do a lot of things on the field,” Schunk said before practice on Thursday. “Ever since this summer I’ve been in a program to keep my arm in shape and be able to throw any amount that I need to, whether it be one batter or a couple of innings and be ready for anything that’s thrown my way.”
The Bulldogs (8-5) certainly hope the move to Schunk provides some stability to the backend of the bullpen.
Senior Blake Cairnes (0-0, 5.14) so far hasn’t been as consistent as hoped, and while Zac Kristofak (1-0, 0.00, 1 save) has impressed, the decision was made to go with Schunk at closer after the sophomore struck out four batters in 2.2 innings.
“We’ve always really liked Aaron on the mound, the tough thing has been taking him off third base,” Stricklin said. “Now that we’ve got more depth on our team we can make some more moves and do some more things.”
Stricklin added he believes Schunk is well-suited for his new role.
“He’s a confident kid, he’s really athletic and in the eighth inning you’re going to get in situations where people are going to bunt, people are going to do some things on you,” he said. “He fields his position very well, he’s got a calm demeanor to him and on top of that his stuff is really good. He’s 89-91, he throws four pitches for strikes, he holds runners and does all those things you need him to do.”
Schunk, who will continue to serve as the Bulldogs’ starting third baseman, is excited about his new opportunity.
“I’m just embracing whatever Coach thinks is best for the team,” Schunk said. “It’s different, but I’m a competitor and that’s why I’m here. I take everything the same way and I see it as I’m going to do anything I can to go out there and shut it down.”
Confidence doesn’t sound like a problem for the former star at The Lovett School.
“I’m going to be better than what your best is,” said Schunk, who said he doesn’t worry about what the radar gun may say.
“I don’t know, I don’t know the radar gun over there and I try to keep it out of my head,” he said. “I just try to do the best I can in whatever situation I’m put in.”
The decision to pitch Adkins (1-0, 2.93) was simply a matter of giving the senior a shot after recent struggles by former Friday starter Kevin Smith (2-1, 7.21).
Freshman Emerson Hancock (0-1, 5.06) will stay the Saturday starter with freshman Ryan Webb (0-1, 4.00) now scheduled to start on Sunday.
“We decided to go with Chase on Friday because he’s the senior, he’s a competitor, the guys really trust him and really play well behind him,” Stricklin said. “We love him in that Sunday role, but we just made that if anybody was going to go in the Friday role it was him. I think he’s more equiped to handle that mentally. We didn’t want to do that to a freshman. (Emerson) Hancock’s got Friday night stuff, but we’re going to keep him where he is.”
Webb has 11 strikeouts in nine innings over five previous appearances, all in relief.
“Ryan Webb, his demeanor, he doesn’t act like a freshman, he’s very confident, he’s aggressive and he throws a ton of strikes,” Stricklin said. “His stuff, plus his strikes and makeup, we had him slated to be a starter at some point. We just felt we needed to do it before SEC play to get guys used to their roles, get into that rotation, so the decision that we made.”
