There was a point last season when Georgia was a national title favorite.

Down the stretch, though, the Bulldogs sputtered more than most teams and actually found a way to finish the regular season with a .500 mark in the SEC.

Gone were the hopes of a national seed and regional. And to make matters worse, the Bulldogs failed to reach the Tallahassee Regional title game after a tough loss to Big Ten foe Ohio State in an elimination game.

There's no question the way last season ended was excruciating for coach Dave Perno, his staff and the players.

Now they must find a way to put together an impressive spring without several key cogs, including power hitters Rich Poythress, Matt Cerione, Bryce Massanari and Joey Lewis.

It's time to dissect what the Bulldogs need to improve between now and the spring.

Georgia's five fall keys

1. Forget about the way last season ended -- The Bulldogs were in excellent shape at the start of last season, but folded down the stretch and finished the campaign with an unimpressive mark in the SEC and a 38-24 overall record. Now the Bulldogs hope to move forward and forget about the way last season ended. In a way, it might actually be good for Georgia to use it as motivation. However, Perno probably would prefer to just move on and not think about it anymore. Georgia's collapse last season was just odd. The Bulldogs played great baseball for several weeks, but failed to do the little things right down the stretch. Doing those things right will determine its fate in 2010.

2. Replace power hitters Poythress, Cerione, Massanari and Lewis -- Boy, replacing this outstanding foursome will be difficult for the Bulldogs. Poythress was a legitimate National Player of the Year candidate last season. But Cerione, Massanari and Lewis also deserve a wealth of credit for having outstanding careers in Athens, Ga. Poythress batted .376 with 17 doubles, 25 homers and 86 RBIs last season. Cerione batted .291 with 12 homers and 43 RBIs, Massanari batted .305 with 19 homers and 57 RBIs and Lewis batted .282 with 19 homers and 58 RBIs. That accounts for 69 percent of Georgia's homers last season. That's a staggering number to remember. Replacing these guys could be impossible -- at least in the upcoming season.

3. Returning hitters need to step up -- There's a sneaking suspicion the Bulldogs will take a step back at the plate. But just how far will they step back? That's the million-dollar question. The Bulldogs finished last season with a .292 batting average. They also are without several key cogs this fall. Still, Georgia returns some talented hitters, including Colby May, Levi Hyams, Zach Cone, Johnathan Taylor, Chase Davison and Peter Verdin. May was one of the team's top hitters last season, batting .339 with 11 homers and 42 RBIs. Hyams batted .263 with five homers and 24 RBIs, Cone batted .323 in just 93 at bats, Taylor batted .309 with 10 RBIs, Davidson batted .231 in 108 at bats and Verdin batted .316 in 98 at bats. This lineup is loaded with talent. But sometimes talent only can take a team so far. This group must rise to the occasion.

4. Get big campaigns from Justin Grimm and especially Alex McRee -- The Bulldogs can afford to take a small step back at the plate if the weekend rotation rise to the occasion with Grimm and McRee leading the charge. Grimm as Georgia's best starting pitcher last season. He made 15 starts and compiled a 4.15 ERA in 78 innings. He also struck out 72 and walked 26 and held opposing teams to a .273 batting average. Grimm is expected to have much success. All eyes are on McRee, though. He was one of the nation's best left-handed pitchers entering last season. But after a bout with mononucleosis, McRee wasn't the same and finished the campaign 4-4 with a 6.27 ERA in 56 innings. Georgia has plenty other pitchers that can enter the weekend rotation and rise to the occasion. But its success begins and ends with Grimm and McRee.

5. Young pitchers must continue to develop -- The Bulldogs welcomed a talented crop of freshman pitchers to campus this fall. They will be expected to produce. But even more important is the development of sophomore pitchers Cecil Tanner and Mike Palazzone. Both pitchers are extremely talented and had their ups and downs last season. Tanner made 25 appearances and five starts and had a 4.29 ERA in 35 2/3 innings. He also struck out 46 and walked 27 and held opposing teams to a .224 batting average. Meanwhile, Palazzone has an electric arm and is expected to take a huge step forward in the spring. He made 21 appearances last season and had a 5.13 ERA in 33 1/3 innings. He also struck out 43 and walked 15 and held opposing teams to a .242 batting average. Tanner and Palazzone could turn into a dynamic duo in the spring.