ATHENS — Described by his own father no less ‘as a football player playing baseball,’ Tucker Maxwell is beginning to put that myth to rest.
The University of Georgia junior outfielder, and former Dawson County standout, is putting together one of those career years that athletes dream about.
He leads the No. 5-ranked Bulldogs in home runs (6), slugging percentage (.590) stolen bases (14-for-14), is second in RBI (26), third in on-base percentage (.414), and is fifth in batting average (.301). His play has been instrumental in their 25-5 overall start and top spot in the Southeastern Conference (7-2) heading into this week’s huge Vanderbilt series at Foley Field.
But it wasn’t always this way for the son of Dawson County football coach Sid Maxwell. Tucker Maxwell came into the 2019 season as just barely a .200 hitter with 8 home runs and 36 RBI total in his first two seasons for the Bulldogs.
But as they say, nothing beats experience.
“Experience is a tremendous help. I think that is the biggest thing for me this year,” Maxwell said. “I’ve just tried to stay within myself and slow the game down. It does take some time when you get to this level to adjust. I’m feeling a lot more confident this year.”
Georgia coach Scott Stricklin agreed.
“To me I see Tucker being more comfortable out there in all phases,” Stricklin said. “Physically he is extremely gifted. He can throw, he can catch, hit for average, hit for power, steal bases. You can see a lot more this year of just how good he can be. I’m really not surprised that he is having this kind of season.”
Click ‘play’ on the video above to see our entire interview with Maxwell and Coach Stricklin Thursday at Georgia’s Foley Field as the Bulldogs get ready for the Vanderbilt series.
