Five things to know about Georgia baseball:

1. Schedule couldn't be tougher: As has been the case almost every year during Dave Perno's time, the Bulldogs will play a tough schedule starting with Friday's opening series against No. 1-ranked Arizona. Georgia will play two of the top three teams from the Pac-10 (Arizona, Oregon State), three of the top four teams from the ACC (Clemson, Florida State and Georgia Tech) and 2007 regional qualifier Memphis in addition to the always-brutal SEC slate. "That's just always been my philosophy," said Perno, in his seventh season as the Bulldogs' skipper. "To be the best you've got to play the best."

2. Dogs armed for success: Perno says his 2008 pitching staff is "the best I've ever had." The Bulldogs return their entire SEC rotation from last season and 11 pitchers that accounted for 94 percent of the team's innings. Anchoring the weekend rotation are juniors Trevor Holder (RHP, 2-3, 4.50 ERA), Stephen Dodson (RHP, 4-6, 3.56) and Nathan Moreau (LHP 6.2, 4.65).

3. Beckham beckons greatness: According to Baseball America, Georgia has the best shortstop in the nation. Gordon Beckham, a junior from Atlanta, enters the season as a first-team preseason All-American. He has started every game for the past three seasons (126 games) and led the Bulldogs with 13 home runs and 51 RBI last season while batting .307. He earned All-Star honors in the Cape Cod League this past summer with nine homers and 35 RBI. He's projected to be a first-round draft pick after this season.

4. Fields back with bat on shoulder: The Bulldogs were thrilled to find out they'd have Joshua Fields back for his senior season. The hard-throwing closer was thought to be gone for sure when he was drafted in the second round by the Atlanta Braves. But Fields opted to come back to college to complete his education and try to make good on a down season last year (1-6, 4.46, 7 saves). As an added bonus, Fields will be the Bulldogs' designated hitter.

5. Even year assures big finish: It's an even year, therefore the Bulldogs will make a postseason run. At least that has been the trend since Perno took over as head coach. They made the NCAA tournament in 2002, 2004 and 2006 and made it to the College World Series in those last two appearances. In between were down years. Seeing how last season was a down year, it should follow that this one will be "up" and it appears UGA has the roster to make it happen.