Future Madison Mallard Jason Leaver was the Georgia Bulldogs starting pitcher, as a freshman, in the team?s NCAA Athens Super Regional game last night, Monday, June 12, 2006.
The No. 7 Bulldogs beat No. 15 South Carolina 11-6 in the third game of the super regional to advance to the College World Series.
The crowd Leaver pitched in front of will help him prepare for the crowds he will perform for in Madison as a record crowd of 4,302 packed into Foley Field in Athens.
Leaver, a Springfield, Ohio native, pitched the first three innings of what would be a staff effort for Georgia. The left-handed pitcher went for three innings, striking out two, while allowing six hits and three runs, but only two of them earned. In addition, Leaver exhibited good control as he gave up no walks over the appearance.
His three innings pitched was actually the longest outing of the day by any Georgia pitcher.
Over the season at Georgia, Leaver has pitched for a 4.95 ERA in 18 appearances and a 3-2 record in seven starts. In 43.2 innings pitched he has struck out 35 batters while walking just 14 and surrendering 51 hits and 31 runs, 24 of them earned. Opponents have hit .287 against him.
CWS play begins for the Bulldogs at 1:00 p.m. central time on Saturday, June 17, 2006, as they face off against Rice. Leaver can be seen pitching for the Bulldogs on ESPN and ESPN2.
Leaver will join the Mallards after Georgia?s season ends.
The Mallards return to the Duck Pond on June 16 to face the Duluth Huskies on the Neckerman Agency Madison Blues Turn-Back-the-Clock-Night. The Mallards will be sporting replica 1940s style Madison Blues uniforms and the first 1,000 fans will receive a free replica Blues hat. Live Blues music, presented by Madison Magazine, will take place on the Duck Blind pre- and post- game with Westside Andy and Mel Ford Band. Stick around after the game for human cannonball David ?The Bullet? Smith.
Great seats are still available. Visit www.mallardsbaseball.com, call 608.246.4277 or stop by the Duck Pond for tickets or more information.
