The Red and Black

Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Sports

PERNO

The Diamond Dogs (1-2) got up at 5 a.m., traveled 450 miles and lost Wednesday, but it is unlikely any of them cared.

Wednesday marked the 10th time the Georgia baseball team faced off against the Atlanta Braves in an exhibition, with the Diamond Dogs keeping their record perfect by falling 8-0. Every college baseball player dreams of playing in the Major Leagues, but few do. Wednesday at the Braves' spring training complex they came close.

"It was good to get everybody in, and hopefully it will give them a little confidence going into the weekend [series at Oregon State]," Georgia coach Dave Perno said in his postgame radio show.

"No one got hurt, and we got the chance to relax a little bit before this weekend and enjoy the day together."

All five Braves pitchers gave up at least one hit, but Georgia was unable to scratch the scoreboard. Third baseman Ryan Peisel was three for four at the plate with a double. On the other side, the Braves' Chipper Jones and Gregor Blanco each had two-run doubles.

Sophomore pitcher Dean Weaver, who sat out last weekend's series with Arizona after violating a team rule, started the game for the Bulldogs and allowed one unearned run in his inning of work. Freshman righty Justin Grimm, who will return to the team following this weekend after also violating a team rule, impressed in the fourth. He allowed one hit and struck out two Braves.

Josh Fields, who was drafted by the Braves this spring but chose to return to school, pitched a scoreless third and was zero for one at the plate.

"The one thing we did that worked out well for us with this game is we didn't get down here too early, it wasn't too long of a day," Perno said.

The 1 p.m. start allowed the Bulldogs to have most of the day off before flying to Portland Friday.

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