Meet the Diamond Dogs

Sports

Meet the Diamond Dogs

Roster of Georgia Bulldogs in College World Series.

David Perno, a former player and assistant coach at Georgia, is in his seventh year as the Bulldogs' head coach. He has lead the Bulldogs to three College World Series. His current roster has six players drafted in baseball's amateur draft and a finalist in Gordon Beckham for college baseball's player of the year.

Bryce Massanari, C - The junior catcher from Las Vegas is batting .336 with 11 home runs and 65 RBIs -- 30 of those delivered with two outs.

Rich Poythress, 1B - Sophomore infielder has taken the helm of first base. Poythress is batting .374 with 15 home runs and 71 RBIs. He is the seventh player to record four hits in a CWS game.

David Thoms, 2B - A redshirt sophomore from Watkinsville, Thoms is batting .210 with three RBIs, splitting duties at second base with junior Miles Starr since Michael Demperio tore his ACL on May 4.

Gordon Beckham, SS - Junior shortstop is among college baseball's top hitters with 26 home runs. The eighth overall pick (Chicago White Sox) in baseball's amateur draft is batting .403 with 72 RBIs. Beckham was named the SEC player of the year. He is a finalist for the national Golden Spikes award.

Ryan Peisel, 3B - The Bulldogs' senior third baseman from Marietta has been the team's hottest hitter in the postseason. Peisel has had two or more hits in each game of the College World Series. For the season, he has 12 homers and 56 RBIs, both career highs. He broke the 100-hits mark for the season Saturday and stands at 102.

Lyle Allen, LF - Freshman outfielder from Kingston has started 54 games. Allen is batting .285 with seven doubles, two homers and 30 RBIs.

Matt Cerione, CF - Sophomore centerfielder from Alpharetta drove in three of the Bulldogs' four runs in the team's win against Stanford. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Cerione has been on a tear since running into the wall at the SEC tournament to make a catch. He is batting .302 with seven homers and 31 RBIs.

Matt Olson, RF - Olson broke out of an 0-9 slump in the College World Series in the win against Stanford Saturday, the senior outfielder is batting .318 with eight home runs.

Trevor Holder, RHP - Team ace, Holder is 1-0 with a 4.32 ERA in three starts in the post-season. The junior right-hander is 8-4 with a 4.45 ERA on the year.

Stephen Dodson, RHP - The junior right-handed pitcher from Norcross was Georgia's No. 2 starter before being moved to the bullpen prior to the CWS. He is 5-4 with a 4.09 ERA.

Nick Montgomery, RHP - Teammates call him "Old Man," The senior right-handed pitcher, who labors through games with a reconstructed right arm, from Marietta is 4-2 with a 4.30 ERA -- with only four starts on the year.

Josh Fields - Georgia closer Fields, a 6-foot senior and first-round draft choice (Seattle Mariners), is 3-2, 17 saves, with a 2.57 ERA. He has 62 strikeouts and 22 walks.

David Perno, a former player and assistant coach at Georgia, was the Bulldogs' head coach for 12 season.

1/14

David Perno, a former player and assistant coach at Georgia, is in his seventh year as the Bulldogs' head coach. He has lead the Bulldogs to three College World Series. His current roster has six players drafted in baseball's amateur draft and a finalist in Gordon Beckham for college baseball's player of the year.

Today's Gallery Headlines

The Center tour

PHOTOS: An early look at CNN Center's redevelopment in downtown Atlanta

Wayfair Tour

PHOTOS: Wayfair opens first Atlanta store

Atlanta Hawks host the Boston Celtics

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Celtics in key East battle

People march in Bishop Park in Athens on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Protesters gathered in 10 different locations around Georgia’s Congressional District 10, leading up to a “Democracy Fair” at Bishop Park as part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers estimate that a few thousand people participated, many of them first-time protesters. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: 'No Kings' rally at Bishop Park in Athens, Ga.

More Galleries

Georgia's NFL Pro Day

PHOTOS: UGA Pro Day draws Falcons, others

Atlanta Hawks host the Orlando Magic in an NBA game

PHOTOS: Magic night as Hawks continue winning streak

6A Girls Grayson vs. North Paulding

Photos: North Paulding girls defeat Grayson for a 6A basketball state championship

6A Boys Wheeler vs. Pebblebrook

Photos: Wheeler defeats Pebblebook to claim 2026 state championship