Tickets are now on sale to attend the University of Georgia’s 1st Pitch Banquet in the William Porter Payne and Porter Otis Payne Indoor Athletic Facility on Sunday, Jan. 29 featuring Major League All-Star and former Bulldog Jared Walsh and the 2023 Georgia baseball team.
The highlights of the dinner event include hearing from Walsh who has enjoyed a four-year career in the Major Leagues, meeting the 2023 Georgia Bulldogs and coaching staff plus a silent auction. Ike Cousins head baseball coach Scott Stricklin is in his 10th season leading the Bulldogs. Georgia’s 2023 squad has 24 returning lettermen including six starting position players, 13 pitchers who logged innings a year ago and 17 newcomers.
Walsh, a first baseman/outfielder/pitcher, made his MLB debut with the Angels in 2019 after being selected in the 39th round of the 2015 draft. He earned All-Star honors in 2021 after batting .277 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI. In 2022, he served as the team’s nominee for the Robert Clemente Award, which is given annually to the player who best represents baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions on and off the field. Also in 2022, Walsh became just the ninth player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. Walsh was a four-year letterman contributing as a two-way player for the Bulldogs from 2012-15.
Doors open at 5:30 pm with the dinner to begin at 6:30 pm The deadline to reserve your seat(s) or table is Jan 22. A special early VIP meet-and-greet ticket is a new option this year. The Payne Indoor Athletic Facility is located right across the street from Foley Field.
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