April 15, 2015
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — The Georgia Tech softball team (15-29) tallied eight hits to defeat the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (26-14), 5-3, Wednesday at University Field.
Karly Fullem had a day for the Jackets, going 3-for-4 on the day with four RBI and hitting her seventh double of the season. Courtney Ziese added two hits and the Yellow Jackets out hit the Gamecocks 8-2.
“Karly was seeing the ball really well and came through in some clutch situations,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “With two outs and us extending innings, that’s really important for us moving forward in conference play.”
The Jackets got on the board in the first inning. Samantha Pierannunzi was hit by a pitch to lead off and moved to second on Chelsie Thomas’ ACC-leading 14th sacrifice bunt. Fullem stepped into the box with two outs and roped a single through the left side to score Pierannunzi.
The Jackets capitalized again in the second frame. Colleen Darragh walked and Jessica Kowalewicz was hit by a pitch, before Maddie Lionberger’s sacrifice bunt moved the runners ahead. With two outs, pinch hitter Morgan Taylor came through with a blooper to plate Darragh, giving Tech a 2-0 lead.
Katie Johnsky walked to load the bases for Fullem, who ripped a bases-clearing double to left, putting Tech ahead 5-0.
Georgia Tech starter Christina Biggerstaff’s 10 and one third innings of hitless softball game came to an end in the fifth inning on Stephanie Lewis’ single.
The Gamecocks scored three runs in the six inning on Sara Borders’ three-run home run to center, inducing a Georgia Tech pitching change as Kylie Kleinschmidt entered to relieve Biggerstaff.
“I thought Christina did well,” Hoerner said. “Hitters see our pitchers three or four times, and they are going to make adjustments. We brought in Kylie just for a change and it was a good combined effort for both of them.”
Kleinschmidt pitched hitless softball for the remaining 1.2 innings with two strikeouts for her first save of the season. Biggerstaff (7-5) earned the win and pitched 5.1 innings with nine strikeouts.
Whitney Gillespie (8-5) suffered the loss, allowing one run on one hit in 0.2 innings pitched. Taylor West threw 6.1 frames with four runs on seven hits.
The Jackets are back in action April 18-19 for three games at Boston College. Georgia Tech and the Eagles play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 11 a.m.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GaTechSoftball), Instagram (@GaTechSoftball), Facebook (Georgia Tech Softball) or by visiting www.ramblinwreck.com.
