Blake Dieterich, Photo by Sonny Kennedy, http://sonnykennedyphotography.smugmug.com/

University of Georgia senior pitcher Blake Dieterich was named to the 2013 SEC Baseball Community Service Team, the league announced Tuesday.

The SEC supports a Community Service Team for each of its 21 league-sponsored sports. The Community Service Team looks to highlight an athlete from each school who gives back to his community in superior service efforts.

Dieterich, a native of Winter Garden, Florida, volunteered for various community service projects through the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C) during his Bulldog career. This year, he participated in the Home Runs For Hometown Rivals, a Special Olympics baseball game at Foley Field and a Special Olympics Prom at the Athens Classic Center. He served on the “Whatever It Takes” program as an Economics tutor at local high schools plus assisted with Thanksgiving dinners at a local church. Also, he participated in the “Walk Kids To School” program.

A four-year letterman and economics major, Dieterich concluded his career ranked fifth in school history with 92 appearances and ranked ninth in saves. This past season, the left-hander went 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA and one save in 20 appearances.

The other SEC baseball representatives included Cameron Carlisle (Alabama), Barrett Astin (Arkansas), Patrick Savage (Auburn), Cody Dent (Florida), Jerad Grundy (Kentucky), Mason Katz (LSU), Tanner Bailey (Ole Miss), Luis Pollorena (Mississippi State), Patrick Sullivan (South Carolina), Dalton Saberhagen (Tennessee), Troy Stein (Texas A&M) and Connor Harrell (Vanderbilt).

All photos copyrighted property of Sonny Kennedy, http://sonnykennedyphotography.smugmug.com/

Former UGA baseball coach David Perno, Photo by Sonny Kennedy, http://sonnykennedyphotography.smugmug.com/

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.

All photos copyrighted property of Sonny Kennedy, http://sonnykennedyphotography.smugmug.com/