OMAHA, Neb. —  Joey Volchko has geared up this week to face a Texas lineup that is the second highest scoring team at the College World Series, led the SEC in walks drawn and has two players with 22 or more homers.

He also knows No. 3 seed Georgia baseball needs him to be on his game in Saturday‘s 8 p.m. matchup, considering that the starting pitcher on the other side, Dylan Volantis, is one of the top arms in the nation.

“Every game I go out there, I try to give my team a chance to win,” Volchko said. “I know at any moment they can explode for seven runs so for me just keeping the game close, especially game one against Mississippi State, I knew I had to keep the game because we were going to come back. That meant a lot to me to stay in and keep fighting. That’s the same mentality I’m going to carry into this one.”

Volchko and Georgia (51-12) trailed Mississippi State 7-0 in the fourth inning on June 6 in the Athens Super Regional before rallying back for a 13-12 win.

Volchko gave up seven runs (four earned) on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts in five innings.

“He’s that guy who doesn’t want to be taken out of a game at any time, no matter what the score is or what’s going on,” Georgia coach Wes Johnson said.

The sophomore lefty Volantis is 10-2 and is fourth in the nation with 2.03 ERA with 27 walks and 126 strikeouts for No. 6 seed Texas (45-13). He will face a Texas team that includes Aiden Robbins (24 homers) and Carson Tinney (22 homers).

“As a staff, we know our offense is really good so we try to treat every inning as a 0-0 ballgame regardless of if we’re up and down,” said Volchko, a senior transfer from Stanford who is 10-2 with a 4.07 ERA. “Especially with a guy on the mound like Volantis, he’s going to limit runs, he’s going to limit contact. He’s really good at what he does and so does their entire pitching staff. We’re going to have to pitch a complete game to get it done.”

The 6-foot-6 Volantis threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings in relief, with two hits allowed, one walk and nine strikeouts in Texas’ sweep of Georgia last season in Athens.

“He’s got a high release height,” Johnson said. “He does a really good job of tunneling his fastball and curve ball down in the strike zone which makes it tough. I think that’s why he gets so many chases. He’ll stick you the fast ball down at your knees and then start the curve ball right there. The hitters have, with that release height, a really, really hard time picking up the spin. He gets a lot chases on curve balls that bounce. That’s still pretty much his MO now. He’s moving the ball around a little bit more with his fastball trying to open up his curve ball.”

Volantis has given up just two homers in 88 2/3 innings this season.

Georgia leads the nation with 174 homers and is fourth in the nation with a .326 batting average.

“We’ve been preparing for him,” shortstop Kolby Branch said. “So it’s just, it’s a good arm. So you’ve got to go out there. You’ve got to take your offensive hacks. You’ve got to go out there and be confident in yourself and go out there and believe, or that’s it. Just like we’ve done all year against any good arm.”

MUSCOGEE COUNTY, Ga. – A multi-agency operation led to the arrest of two men wanted for separate child sex crimes, authorities said.

Muscogee County child exploitation arrests

What we know:

The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office Collaborative Intelligence Group worked with regional federal and state partners to track down and arrest two wanted men. 

Authorities executed a search warrant in Macon County, Alabama, to arrest John Hunter Blanton on multiple bench warrants out of Muscogee County. Those warrants include two counts of aggravated child molestation, child molestation, statutory rape and enticing a child for indecent purposes, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Blanton was taken into custody without incident and is being held while awaiting extradition back to Muscogee County.

In a separate action, investigators arrested Brian Spargo in Muscogee County on a felony warrant from the Phenix City Police Department in Alabama. 

Spargo was wanted for first-degree sodomy in connection to an ongoing case involving the sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12, the sheriff’s office said. 

He was taken to the Muscogee County Jail and is waiting for extradition to Russell County, Alabama.

Ongoing Georgia-Alabama sex crime investigation

What we don’t know:

Officials have not yet confirmed the specific dates or locations where the alleged crimes took place. It remains unclear when Blanton and Spargo will face their first court appearances. Authorities have not released details regarding how long Blanton had been a fugitive in Alabama before his capture.

Sheriff vows protection for local children

What they’re saying:

“We won’t stop until the criminals do!” Sheriff Greg Countryman said in a statement. “The Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate crimes of this nature against our children. We remain committed to locating and arresting wanted offenders to ensure the safety of those in our community.”

Future charges pending in child sex abuse cases

Both cases remain under active investigation, according to the sheriff’s office. Authorities noted that additional charges may be pending against the suspects as the investigation continues.

Downtowns are a rich tapestry of local history, unique businesses, and fun places to hang out. Some of the best examples are in Georgia’s small towns, with WorldAtlas recently releasing its list of recommendations.

Here are the eight highlighted and excerpts of what the platform said about them:

Athens GA

“The student crowd packs the independent restaurants, bars, and record stores past midnight. The grid stays flat and walkable….Live music drives the strip. The 40 Watt Club on West Washington Street launched R.E.M. and the B-52s. It still books shows most nights. The Georgia Theatre stages concerts a few blocks over. Its rooftop bar overlooks the streets. Mama’s Boy serves Georgia peach French toast to the morning crowd.”

Blue Ridge GA

“Blue Ridge grew up around a working rail line….Independent shops, galleries, and restaurants line both sides of the rails. The Swan Drive-In has operated since 1955. It still shows double features on summer nights. The Chattahoochee National Forest closes in on three sides. The mountains stay in view down every cross street.”

Dahlonega GA

“Dahlonega built its square around the oldest surviving courthouse in Georgia. The 1836 building now holds the Dahlonega Gold Museum….The shops sell gold-panning kits, fudge, and mountain crafts. Tasting rooms pour wine from the Dahlonega Plateau.”

Darien GA

“Scottish Highlanders founded Darien in 1736….They laid the town out on a grid of Oglethorpe squares. The riverfront is still the heart of it. Skipper’s Fish Camp on Screven Street pulls shrimp and oysters off the local fleet….The Old Jail Art Center fills the 1888 county jail on North Way. Galleries and a small history museum share the cells. Fort King George stands just east of the squares.”

Helen GA

“The only Main Street in Georgia that looks airlifted from the Alps. Helen now hosts the longest-running Oktoberfest in the country….The Chattahoochee River cuts through the middle of the village. Tube rentals crowd the water all summer. Bakeries, beer halls, and candy shops line the cobbled side streets.”

Madison GA

“Madison wraps its core around the 1905 Morgan County Courthouse. The town holds one of the largest historic districts in Georgia….The Madison-Morgan Cultural Center fills the arts calendar from an 1895 schoolhouse….Galleries and a performance hall sit inside it now. Heritage Hall opens its 1811 Greek Revival rooms for daily tours on South Main Street. Antebellum and Victorian houses line the blocks in every direction.”

Senoia GA

“Film crews have used the streets as a backdrop since the late 1980’s. ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ shot scenes here in 1989. ‘The Walking Dead’ rebuilt the streetscape into the fictional Woodbury in 2012….Nic and Norman’s stands at 20 Main Street. Actor Norman Reedus and producer Greg Nicotero opened it in 2016. It feeds fans and locals the same burgers. The Veranda Historic Inn rents 1906 rooms a block off Main, in the former Hollberg Hotel. Maguire’s and the Senoia Coffee and Cafe handle the regular lunch crowd. Boutiques and antique shops fill the rest.”

St Marys GA

“St. Marys ends its main blocks at the waterfront. The daily ferry to Cumberland Island National Seashore loads at the foot of the street….Seagle’s Restaurant has served seafood on the waterfront since 1926. The St. Marys Submarine Museum stands a block away….The First Presbyterian Church has held its corner since the early 1800s. Brackish Beer Company pours local brews a few blocks back.”

Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.