Preview: Queens (NC) Royals at Georgia Bulldogs

ATHENS, Ga. (Interstat) — The Georgia Bulldogs, riding a strong start to the season, are heavily favored when they host the Queens (NC) Royals in a non-conference baseball game Friday at Athens Olympic Indoor Hall.

First pitch is scheduled for the evening, with rain and 77-degree temperatures in the forecast. The game marks the start of a three-game weekend series between the teams.

Georgia (11-3) enters with a potent offense, averaging over 10 runs per game during its recent homestand. The Bulldogs are coming off a 10-9 loss to Western Carolina on Wednesday, a game in which they rallied for six runs in the ninth inning before falling short.

Catcher Daniel Jackson has been a central figure in Georgia’s attack. Over his last eight games, Jackson is batting .452 (14-for-31) with five home runs and 18 RBIs. He went 3 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs in the midweek loss.

The Queens Royals (4-8) have struggled, dropping five of their last six games, including a 9-2 loss at North Carolina State on Wednesday. They will look to right-hander Adrian Quezada to slow the Bulldogs’ bats. In his last start on Feb. 25, Quezada earned the win at South Carolina, allowing three earned runs over six innings. However, he was tagged for five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings against NC State in his most recent outing.

Georgia’s lineup presents a significant challenge. In their last seven home games, the Bulldogs have outscored opponents 103-16, including a 22-0 win over Samford on Feb. 22.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-4 Georgia victory, while its ELO rating system gives the Bulldogs a 92.6% probability to win.

Following this series, Georgia opens Southeastern Conference play at home against Tennessee next weekend. Queens continues a road swing with a midweek game at Notre Dame before opening ASUN Conference play at Florida Gulf Coast.