Georgia baseball – No. 3 seed Georgia, led by Caden Aoki, takes on No. 3 seed Liberty in the Athens Regional final at Foley Field Sunday evening. Georgia can clinch the regional title; Liberty must win twice in double-elimination play after eliminating Boston College 8-3 earlier
By Sunday evening, Georgia baseball’s season is either going to move one step closer to Omaha—or it’s going to be forced to linger another day.
At Foley Field, the No. 3 national seed Bulldogs will play the Athens Regional final against region No. 3 seed Liberty. Georgia (48-12) is trying to lock down its spot in the NCAA Super Regionals. Liberty (43-20). coming off a win over Boston College earlier Sunday. needs something much harder: a victory that forces a second game Monday in the double-elimination tournament.
Georgia beat Liberty 6-2 on Saturday, and the Bulldogs are staring at the cleanest path. In double-elimination format, the Flames would have to defeat Georgia twice to advance.
On the mound for Georgia is righty Caden Aoki.
Georgia coach Wes Johnson put the message into one simple frame before Sunday—one game, nothing extra to celebrate yet.
“As far as the mindset. I told our guys. yeah. it’s an old cliché. but the job’s not done. ” Johnson said. “We’ve just put ourselves in position to play one game (Sunday). Real simple. We played good (against Liberty). Job’s not done. We’ve got to…understand runs don’t carry over. None of that matters. We’ve got to…seize the moment, those kind of things.”.
Liberty will counter with starter Cooper Harrington. Liberty has leaned heavily on Harrington’s two-way value this regional—he had been the Flames’ closer. but has made two starts previously. Earlier in the day. Liberty’s 8-3 win over Boston College had already underlined that the Flames are not just hanging around; they’re showing they can finish games.
The Stakes: one clean win vs. the pressure of twice
Georgia enters Sunday with power and control at the same time. The Bulldogs have hit 14 homers in two games in the regional, including an 18-2 win over Long Island. On the other side. Georgia’s pitching has been stingy enough to make Sunday feel like a test of whether Liberty can keep cracking the door open—Bulldog pitching has given up just 5 hits total.
Liberty’s path depends on flipping the script fast. The Flames have already proved they can take down teams decisively, and now they face Georgia with a chance to turn Saturday’s result into a temporary setback.
Live from Foley Field: Liberty strikes first
Georgia didn’t get anything going off Liberty starter Cooper Harrington in the top of the first. The Bulldogs went 1-2-3, ending with Rylan Lujo grounding out on a ball that came off his bat at 101 miles per hour.
Liberty made Georgia pay quickly in the bottom of the first.
Caden Aoki struck out three in the first inning, but the Flames still found a crack. Riley DeCandido doubled with one out. After a wild pitch moved DeCandido to third, Jaxon Sorenson delivered a two-out single up the middle, and Liberty took a 1-0 lead heading into the rest of the game.
Georgia lineup on Sunday
3B Tre Phelps
C Daniel Jackson
CF Rylan Lujo
1B Brennan Hudson
LF Kenny Ishikawa
2B Ryan Wynn
DH Jack Arcamore
SS Kolby Branch
RF Ryan Black
On the mound: Caden Aoki
Projected pitchers and how to watch
Caden Aoki is listed at (8-1, 4.07 ERA, 3 saves) for Georgia. Cooper Harrington is listed at (2-1, 3.72 ERA, 14 saves) for Liberty.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with Watch on ESPN Unlimited.
How the regional sets up the week
May 29-June 1: NCAA Regional
June 5-8: NCAA Super Regional
June 12-22: NCAA College World Series in Omaha
Georgia is trying to make Sunday its moment—one game, no carryover, no second chances. Liberty is trying to make the story extend into Monday, forcing a second win just to keep its dream alive. The difference between clinching and chasing is only one result away at Foley Field.
Georgia baseball Liberty Athens Regional final Foley Field NCAA Super Regionals Caden Aoki Cooper Harrington Wes Johnson ESPN+
Why do they keep saying “job’s not done” like it’s some big secret lol.
I saw Liberty beat Boston College 8-3 and I’m like ok so they’re definitely winning Sunday too? But then it says double elimination so who even knows. I just want Georgia to not choke.
Georgia already beat them 6-2 on Saturday so it feels like Liberty might be cooked unless the pitcher situation changes. Also I keep mixing up Aoki and the other guy, like isn’t Cooper Harrington the one who closes? Either way I’m watching just for the pitching.
Double elimination sounds unfair tbh, like Georgia just gets a cleaner path because they’re the 3 seed. If Liberty has to win twice then that’s basically the same as winning a whole extra game for nothing. Sports are always about momentum but they said “runs don’t carry over” which makes it seem kinda dumb? Anyway hope Athens stays loud.