Georgia baseball pitcher Caden Aoki was named this week as a finalist for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award, but he’s set to start for the sixth time in his last seven appearances on Sunday.
The USC transfer gets the ball for Georgia (50-12) for Game 2 in the Athens Super Regional against Mississippi State with his team needing one win to clinch a spot in the College World Series.
“He’s a really great pitcher,” Mississippi State coach Brian O’Connor said. “He’s got a good mix of stuff. We’ll have to be on our game again.”
Mississippi State (43-18) will turn to righty Ryan McPherson (4-1, 2.81).
Aoki (9-1, 3.86 ERA) had a career-high 11 strikeouts and gave up one run over six innings in a 6-1 win over Liberty to clinch the Athens Regional on May 31.
“Obviously two really great offensive clubs,” O’Connor said. “We’re going to need to get him figured out and McPhereson’s going to need to match him.”
Georgia used six pitchers in its 13-12 win Saturday. Guys like Zach Brown and Paul Farley have yet to pitch in the super regional and Matt Scott and Justin Byrd could be called on again.
“You can’t save pitching in this game,” Johnson said. “It’s unconventional, you have to chase some wins at times with some guys. We’re not going to hold anything back. We’re going to go and lean on everybody and try to use who we think the matchup says.”
Georgia will play Mississippi State on ESPN. Announcers for the game are Mike Monaco, Ben McDonald and Eduardo Perez.
Georgia and Mississippi State will play at Foley Field at noon Sunday.
Game 1: Georgia 13, Mississippi State 12.
Game 3: Monday, June 8, TBD (if necessary).
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