Sports News

SEC: Baseball Coach David Perno Resigns Position At UGA

ATHENS-----University of Georgia head baseball coach David Perno has resigned his position effective immediately according to an announcement Monday by UGA Director of Athletics Greg McGarity.

Perno served 17 years on the Bulldog staff including the past 12 as the head coach. He led the program to three College World Series appearances including the 2008 CWS Finals and six total NCAA Regional appearances. He tallied a record of 390-335-1, winning Southeastern Conference titles in 2004 and 2008.

“I have accepted David’s resignation and would like to express our appreciation to him for his numerous contributions to our baseball program over the last two decades as a player, assistant and head coach,” said McGarity. “David was a part of our baseball program when it won a national title and helped Georgia advance to the College World Series five times during his playing and coaching career. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors. He has been a great representative for UGA. We have begun the process of finding the next head coach to lead our program and will do so as quickly as possible.”

“It’s been a privilege to wear the Bulldog uniform and represent the University of Georgia as a player, assistant and head coach,” said Perno. “I love the University and, I’m very appreciative of the many players, coaches, and support staff with whom I’ve had the opportunity to work with in Athens. I would like to thank Coach Vince Dooley for providing me with the opportunity of a lifetime because it was a dream come true to lead the Georgia program. I’d like to thank Dr. Michael Adams for his support during his tenure. And I’d like to tell all my former and current players that I love them and appreciate all that they have done for this program. Finally, I want to thank the wonderful fans who shared in our success at Foley Field.”

Perno’s teams advanced to the College World Series in 2004, 2006 and 2008. Overall, they made NCAA Regional appearances in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2011. Georgia’s best finishes were second in 2008, tied for third in 2004 and tied for seventh in 2006. Thirty-one former Bulldogs under Perno have played professional baseball with five in the Major Leagues in 2013. He was a member of Georgia’s 1990 national championship team and was an assistant under Ron Polk when the Bulldogs won the 2001 SEC title and advanced to Omaha for the CWS. A native of Athens, he was a three-year letterman for Georgia from 1988-91, returned as an assistant coach in 1996 and was named head coach in July of 2001.

SUNS: Neil transferred to Triple-A New Orleans; Dayton reinstated from DL

PEARL, Miss. – The Miami Marlins announced several transactions that impacts their Double-A affiliate Jacksonville Suns roster prior to tonight’s contest with the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi.

Right-handed starter Matt Neil has been transferred from Jacksonville to Triple-A New Orleans. The 26-year-old recorded a 1-2 mark and 4.09 ERA (15 ER in 33.0 IP) in six starts for the Suns during the 2013 campaign. In his two starts this month, Neil tallied a 1-0 record and 2.92 ERA (4 ER in 12.1 IP) for Jacksonville.

In addition, left-handed reliever Grant Dayton has been reinstated from Jacksonville’s Disabled List to the Suns active roster after recovering from a left elbow stress fracture. Dayton, who has not appeared in a contest yet this year, made seven appearances with the Suns in 2012, compiling a 2-1 record and 4.15 ERA (6 ER in 13.0 IP). Dayton also pitched for High-A Jupiter in 2012, accumulating a 2-5 mark and 2.10 ERA (14 ER in 60.0 IP) in 31 games (six starts) for the Hammerheads.

Jacksonville faces off against the Mississippi Braves, the Double-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, tonight at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Mississippi in the fourth game of their five-game series. A win would clinch the series for the Suns and push them ahead of the Braves by a half game in the Southern League South Division.

The Suns return to Bragan Field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Thursday evening at 7:05 p.m. for a five-game homestand to host the Birmingham Barons, the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

SUNS: Jacksonville Wins 3-1, Grabs First Place From Braves

PEARL, Miss. — Jake Marisnick and Kyle Jensen both homered for the Jacksonville Suns (24-15) in a 3-1 victory over the Mississippi Braves (25-17) at Trustmark Park.

Suns starter Sam Dyson (1-3) also picked up his first win in 2013 with five solid innings as Jacksonville regained the top spot in the Southern League South division by half a game over Mississippi. It marks the first time the Suns have held sole possession of first since April 28.

Marisnick came to the plate in the top of the first inning with nobody on base and drove a pitch from Braves starter Michael Lee (3-2) over the center field wall for his third home run of the season. The Suns’ center fielder also drove in Jacksonville’s second run of the game in the third on an RBI single, finishing his night 2-for-4.

The Braves scored their lone run of the game off Dyson in between Marisnick’s hits, plating what was then the tying run on Jaime Pedroza’s RBI groundout in the bottom of the second. It was the only blemish for Dyson, who limited Mississippi to just the one run on six hits and did not walk a batter.

Once Dyson was removed after five frames, the Suns’ bullpen came on and stymied the Braves to help Jacksonville earn its fourth straight victory. Mike Ojala, Collin Cargill and Arquimedes Caminero all fired scoreless frames, with only Cargill allowing a base runner in the seventh.

Through two games in the series, the Suns’ bullpen as a whole has allowed just three hits and no runs in six innings. Stretching back to the final two games of the series in Mobile against the BayBears, the relief corps is working on a scoreless streak of 12 and two thirds innings, surrendering just four hits and a walk in the process.

Kyle Jensen, given a day off on Friday night in the series opener, homered in the top of the eighth inning to close out the scoring. The blast was Jensen’s seventh of the season and provided a two-run cushion that the Suns would not relinquish.

Michael Brady earned his seventh save with a one, two three bottom of the ninth inning, striking out Jose Martinez to end the game and put Jacksonville back atop the standings.

Christian Yelich finished his night at the plate 1-for-4 for Jacksonville, with his lone hit a triple in the fifth inning.

The Suns can secure a series victory with a win on Sunday afternoon in game three of the five-game series. Jacksonville will go for its fifth straight triumph behind right-hander Matt Neil (1-2, 4.09), while the Braves attempt to snatch first place back by sending lefty Alex Wood (2-2, 0.82) to the hill. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. ET.

SUNS: Jacksonville Wins 3-1, Grabs First Place From Braves

PEARL, Miss. — Jake Marisnick and Kyle Jensen both homered for the Jacksonville Suns (24-15) in a 3-1 victory over the Mississippi Braves (25-17) at Trustmark Park.

Suns starter Sam Dyson (1-3) also picked up his first win in 2013 with five solid innings as Jacksonville regained the top spot in the Southern League South division by half a game over Mississippi. It marks the first time the Suns have held sole possession of first since April 28.

Marisnick came to the plate in the top of the first inning with nobody on base and drove a pitch from Braves starter Michael Lee (3-2) over the center field wall for his third home run of the season. The Suns’ center fielder also drove in Jacksonville’s second run of the game in the third on an RBI single, finishing his night 2-for-4.

The Braves scored their lone run of the game off Dyson in between Marisnick’s hits, plating what was then the tying run on Jaime Pedroza’s RBI groundout in the bottom of the second. It was the only blemish for Dyson, who limited Mississippi to just the one run on six hits and did not walk a batter.

Once Dyson was removed after five frames, the Suns’ bullpen came on and stymied the Braves to help Jacksonville earn its fourth straight victory. Mike Ojala, Collin Cargill and Arquimedes Caminero all fired scoreless frames, with only Cargill allowing a base runner in the seventh.

Through two games in the series, the Suns’ bullpen as a whole has allowed just three hits and no runs in six innings. Stretching back to the final two games of the series in Mobile against the BayBears, the relief corps is working on a scoreless streak of 12 and two thirds innings, surrendering just four hits and a walk in the process.

Kyle Jensen, given a day off on Friday night in the series opener, homered in the top of the eighth inning to close out the scoring. The blast was Jensen’s seventh of the season and provided a two-run cushion that the Suns would not relinquish.

Michael Brady earned his seventh save with a one, two three bottom of the ninth inning, striking out Jose Martinez to end the game and put Jacksonville back atop the standings.

Christian Yelich finished his night at the plate 1-for-4 for Jacksonville, with his lone hit a triple in the fifth inning.

The Suns can secure a series victory with a win on Sunday afternoon in game three of the five-game series. Jacksonville will go for its fifth straight triumph behind right-hander Matt Neil (1-2, 4.09), while the Braves attempt to snatch first place back by sending lefty Alex Wood (2-2, 0.82) to the hill. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. ET.