March 23, 2017
GT Game Notes | WF Game Notes | 2017 GT Baseball Information Guide
Friday: ACC Network Extra | GameTracker | WREK 91.1 FM
Saturday: ACC Network Extra | GameTracker | WREK 91.1 FM
Sunday: ACC Newtork Extra | GameTracker | WREK 91.1 FM
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech (12-7, 2-4 ACC) jumps back into ACC play this weekend on the road at Wake Forest (16-6, 4-2 ACC) in a cross divisional showdown at David F. Couch Ballpark in Winston-Salem, N.C.
FOLLOW THE ACTION LIVE
• All three of the conference games this weekend will be video streamed live on ACC Network Extra and the WatchESPN App.
• Live stats can be found at WakeForestSports.com. A link to live stats can also be found on the baseball schedule page at RamblinWreck.com or at the top of this page.
• Wiley Ballard will also broadcast the game live over the radio air waves on WREK 91.1 FM.
LEADING OFF
• Georgia Tech’s series this weekend with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons is the first of four straight ACC weekend series versus the Atlantic Division. After Wake (Mar. 24-26), Tech will host Clemson (Mar. 31-Apr. 2), go to Notre Dame (Apr. 7-9) and welcome Louisville to the Flats (Apr. 13-15).
• This weekend’s ACC series between the Jackets and the Demon Deacons feature two of the nation’s top home run hitting teams this season. Wake leads the nation and the ACC with 40 home runs as a team on the year, while Tech ranks third both nationally and in the conference with 34 home runs.
• The Yellow Jackets will throw not one, not two, but three freshman this weekend in the ACC series. Tech will throw freshman Xzavion Curry on Friday, redshirt-freshman Jonathan Hughes on Saturday and freshman Jay Shadday on Sunday.
• Tech’s offense ranks in the top 35 nationally in four different offensive categories – sixth in home runs (34), sixth in slugging percentage (.519), 28th in doubles (46), and 32nd in scoring (7.7 runs per game).
• After surrendering a total of 17 runs at Miami on Mar. 12, the Yellow Jacket pitchers have given up on average just 4.4 runs per game over the last five games.
• Junior Wade Bailey ranks sixth nationally in runs scored with 29 on the season, which also ranks second in the ACC on the season.
• Sophomore catcher Joey Bart is tied for the nation’s lead with a total of seven different players with nine home runs on the year.
• The Jackets are 8-2 on the season when out hitting their opponent for the game. Tech is just 4-5 on the year when posting the same number or getting out hit by its opponent on the season.
• Tech’s Joey Bart ranks ninth nationally in total bases with 63 on the season. He has a total of nine home runs and seven doubles on the year.
• On the season, the Yellow Jackets are a perfect 10-0 overall when holding its opponents to five runs or less for the contest. In their other two wins, both coming over Youngstown State, the Jackets allowed just six runs overall in those contests.
CROSS DIVISIONAL CONTESTS
• The Yellow Jackets will play its first cross divisional opponent this weekend in Wake Forest out of the Atlantic Division. The Demon Deacons are the first of four straight cross divisional foes that Tech will play this season in – Wake Forest (Mar. 24-26), Clemson (Mar. 31-Apr. 2), Notre Dame (Apr. 7-9) and Louisville (Apr. 13-15).
JACKETS VERSUS WAKE
• Georgia Tech is 72-40-1 all-time versus the Demon Deacons having posted 43 of those wins at home in Atlanta, Ga.
• The Jackets are an even 20-20-1 on the road versus Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C.
• The two teams will be meeting for the first time this weekend since the 2014 season. Wake Forest took two of three from the Jackets in the three game regular season series, yet Tech had the last laugh defeating the Demon Deacons 5-3 in the ACC Tournament at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C. a few months later.
TOUGH CHALLENGE AHEAD FOR TECH
• While the Jackets are 2-2 on the road this season, the Demon Deacons are 10-2 at home on the year.
• Wake Forest is also 8-2 over its last 10 games and have won two straight enter ACC play this weekend.
ACC’S BEST ON DISPLAY
• The weekend series between the Jackets and the Demon Deacons will feature five of the conference’s top six home run hitters this season who have combined to hit a total of 38 home runs thus far on the year.
• Tech’s Joey Bart leads the group with nine home runs, while Kel Johnson is tied for fourth with seven dingers on the season.
• Wake Forest is led by Johnny Aiello’s team-high eight home runs, while Stuart Fairchild and Gavin Sheets have each hit seven home runs on the season.
GT FRESHMEN VERSUS WAKE UPPERCLASSMEN
• This weekend features a unique situation in terms of the match ups on the mound over the three-game ACC series, as it will be freshmen versus upperclassmen in all three contests.
• Tech is slated to start a trio of young arms on the mound this weekend in freshman Xzavion Curry (3-2) on Friday night, redshirt-freshman Jonathan Hughes (1-0) on Saturday afternoon and freshman Jay Shadday (1-0) in the final game on Sunday.
• In the other dugout, the Demon Deacons will throw senior Parker Dunshee (4-1), junior Donnie Sellers (2-1), and senior Connor Johnstone (2-0) in the ACC series.
ON THE VERGE OF THE TOP 25
• Both teams head into this weekend on the verge of breaking into the top 25 in a number of national polls.
• The Yellow Jackets, who have been ranked as high as No. 16 this season, is receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches Poll this week.
• The Demon Deacons are receiving votes in both the NCBWA and the USA Today Coaches Poll this week.
ON DECK
• The Jackets will remain on the road for a midweek contest against the Mercer Bears on Tuesday, Mar. 28, at 6 p.m. ET in Macon, Ga.
