WNEG-TV

ATHENS - It's back to catching, it's back to hitting- the fundamentals of baseball. UGA's baseball team has been practicing for weeks, gearing up for their first test of the season this weekend.

Head Coach David Perno says even though the basics will always be intact, the preparation this year has been somewhat different.

"From an offensive standpoint, we need to focus a little more on defense...making plays and backing this good pitching staff and then a little more of a pressure offensive type style," says Perno.

While the team focuses on their upcoming tournament, Coach Perno says the next month will be crucial to the team's growth this season.

While he's thinking about the short term, players are looking further down the road to the SEC tournament. "We have a real tough schedule going into it, last year was a lot easier, so we'll see what happens as we get started."

This season won't be one just about wins and losses but rather something bigger than the team itself. Chance Veazey, whose career with the team was cut short after a scooter accident paralyzed him in the fall, has become an inspiration to his teammates.

"I've been here for four years and this team definitely has the most to play for. Whether it be for Chance, or making the post season three years in a row, we have never done that, which is surprising considering how much success that we have had."

The team travels to Waco, TX this weekend where they will face Baylor and Duke.