CWS the pinnacle for Georgia

Thirteen seasons after starting its softball program, the University of Georgia today plays in the NCAA Women’s College World Series for the first time.

“It’s just amazing to be here,” left fielder Megan Wiggins said Wednesday from Oklahoma City, where the Bulldogs are among eight teams in collegiate softball’s big event.

Georgia opens at 1 p.m. today against Washington, which advanced by sweeping Georgia Tech last weekend in Atlanta. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.

“From the get-go this season, we knew this was our ultimate goal,” said Wiggins, a sophomore from Snellville.

As Georgia’s proud players watched season highlights on the video board at a pre-event party in ASA Hall of Fame Stadium Tuesday night, “It was just fun to see everybody’s face,” Wiggins said.

Here are five things you should know about UGA softball:

The history: UGA started its program in 1997 and had losing records in three of the first four seasons —- but none since. The team moved into a $5.5 million stadium complex in 2004.

The coach: Before Lu Harris-Champer took over in 2001, Georgia had a cumulative 115-123 record and no NCAA tournament appearances. Under Harris-Champer, the Bulldogs are 449-166 and in the NCAA tournament for the eighth consecutive season. She coached Southern Miss to back-to-back College World Series appearances before coming to Georgia.

The team: Georgia got to Oklahoma City with the youngest roster in major-college softball: 10 freshmen, eight sophomores, no juniors and two seniors.

The stars: Sophomore slugger Alisa Goler has more total bases (157) than at-bats (153). Goler, who plays third base, is hitting .464 with a school-record 23 home runs and an SEC record-tying 79 RBIs. She is one of two UGA players who made first-team All-SEC, joining sophomore center fielder Taylor Schlopy, a .431 hitter. The top pitchers are senior Christie Hamilton (24-8, 1.65 ERA) and sophomore Sarah McCloud (17-2, 2.62).

The season: Georgia is 44-10 and ranks No. 1 in the nation in fielding percentage and No. 2 in slugging percentage. In March, the Bulldogs split two games with Washington, today’s opponent.

NCAA Women’s College World Series

When; where: Today through June 3; Oklahoma City

Today’s games (ESPN): No. 6 Georgia (44-10) vs. No. 3 Washington (46-11), 1 p.m.; No. 10 Arizona State (46-17) vs. Missouri (50-10), 3 p.m.; No. 4 Alabama (52-9) vs. No. 5 Michigan (46-10), 7 p.m.; No. 1 Florida (60-3) vs. No. 9 Arizona (46-15), 9 p.m.

Format: Double elimination in bracket play, then best-of-three championship series