Georgia's season came to a crashing end at the College World Series one week ago. The 2026 campaign was one of the best in program history, but falling short in Omaha has everyoe motivated to get back to the CWS next season.
A lot has to go right for Georgia to get back, and unfortunately they were dealt a significant blow as starting pitcher Joey Volchko announced that he will not be returning to Georgia for his senior season.
As expected, Joey Volchko moving on. pic.twitter.com/R0suJBvXIa
— Anthony Dasher (@AnthonyDasher1) June 23, 2026
Joey Volchko is Wes Johnson's biggest win in his Georgia tenure
Wes Johnson has only been the head coach at Georgia for three years, but in those three seasons he has turned Georgia into one of the top programs in the country. Their success as a program reached an all time high this year at the College World Series where they made the semifinals.
A big reason for all of this success this year was Volchko who was the Bulldogs best starting pitcher this season. He was even at his best during the postseason when he pitched a complete game against Texas in their first game at the College World Series.
Volchko didn't begin his career at Georgia. He was a transfer that Johnson added out of the Transfer Portal last offseason, and without his addition who knows how this season would've gone.
But Johnson did add Volchko out of the Transfer Portal and developed him into an elite pitcher, and the rest is history.
Where does Georgia stand without Joey Volchko?
Losing someone like Volchko is a tough blow for Georgia heading into next season. If he returned he would've been the Bulldogs' ace, and that is someone that is impossible to replace. But if anyone can find a way to replace him it is Johnson.
Volchko pitched at Stanford before he transferred to Georgia last offseason. Johnson already has added a few arms out of the Transfer Portal this year, so there's a chance he's already found a good replacement for him.
On top of that, Johnson is a pitching coach at heart. He is able to get the best out of all of his pitchers, so there's a chance he could develop someone already on Georgia's roster to replace Volchko.
Georgia fans should be a little concerned about losing Volchko, especially after the unreal show he put on at the College World Series, but there is no reason that Georgia can't overcome his departure as their program is as healthy as it's ever been.
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