The Georgia Bulldogs will be without one of their star players for Game 1 of the Athens Super Regional against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Georgia third baseman Tre Phelps was ejected from Georgia’s regional final win over the Liberty Flames and won’t be able to play in Game 1 against Mississippi State.
Phelps has been elite at the plate this season. The junior is an everyday starter for UGA and has served as Georgia’s lead-off hitter in the Bulldogs’ most recent NCAA Tournament games. Phelps has 22 home runs, 69 RBIs and is batting .384. Against Mississippi State this season, Phelps has six hits, four RBIs and one home run in four games.
Phelps’ ejection was very controversial. He hit a home run to finally give Georgia the lead against Liberty. However, he celebrated in front of Liberty’s dugout and that resulted in his ejection. Georgia baseball manager Wes Johnson clarified that Phelps “was waving at his family” that was sitting above the Liberty dugout. Johnson argued with the umpires regarding the ejection and was ejected himself. However, Johnson will be able to coach in Game 1 against Mississippi State.
Is Georgia baseball star Tre Phelps playing today?
Georgia third baseman Tre Phelps is out for Game 1 of the Athens Super Regional against Mississippi State. Georgia will try to win without Phelps as the Bulldogs play at 11 a.m. ET (ESPN) on Saturday, June 6. Phelps is able to return for Game 2, where Georgia could be facing elimination if they lose Game 1.
What Wes Johnson said on Phelps’ ejection
“As far as the Tre (Phelps) situation, for the record, Tre’s family was sitting up in the stands,” Georgia coach Wes Johnson said after the Liberty game. “Tre was waving at his family. The umpires, whatever, you know I’m not an umpire, they thought he was talking to their dugout. Tre got ejected. Tre will miss Game 1 of the super regional. I also was ejected. I have no further penalties. That’s the only statements that we can give and the NCAA will not be making a statement.”
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Is Georgia baseball star Tre Phelps playing vs. Mississippi State?