May 14, 2005
ATLANTA – Fifth-ranked Georgia Tech (36-14, 20-6) scored 23 runs on 20 hits in the first two innings in a record-setting 27-2 win over visiting Virginia Tech (20-25, 5-17) on Saturday night at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Georgia Tech sent a total of 33 batters to the plate in the first two innings. The Yellow Jackets scored 12 runs in the first, a school-record for most runs in a first inning, and added 11 more runs in the next frame, setting a record for most runs in a second inning. The 12 runs in the first tied the school’s record for most runs in an inning in an Atlantic Coast Conference game.
The Jackets had 10 hits in both the first and second innings, tying the school-record for most hits in an inning. Georgia Tech’s 29 hits were one shy of the school’s single game record.
The 27 runs allowed were the most surrendered by the Hokies in 27-years under head coach Chuck Hartman.
Wes Hodges paced the Yellow Jackets with a perfect 4-for-4 performance. Jeff Kindel had three hits and drove in four runs, Tyler Greene went 3-for-3 with three runs and three RBI, while Danny Payne and Mike Trapani added three hits each. Matt Wieters drove in five runs, and Steven Blackwood and Whit Robbins had three RBI. Fourteen different Georgia Tech players had at least one hit in the game.
Georgia Tech starter Blake Wood (9-1) cruised to his ninth win of the year, working five innings and allowing one run on seven hits. He issued one walk and struck out five. Tim Ladd, John Michael Vidic and Ryan Self each worked a scoreless inning of relief.
The Yellow Jackets sent 17 batters to the plate in the 12-run first inning as 13 straight batters reached base safely. Kindel drove in three runs in the inning with a run-scoring double and a two-run single, and Wieters added three RBI on a two-run double and a bases loaded walk. Payne and Hawranick had RBI doubles while Greene, Blackwood and Trapani delivered RBI singles.
Georgia Tech sent another 16 batters to the plate in the second inning and had 13 consecutive runners reach base for the second straight inning. Robbins had a three-run homer, his third of the year, Greene had a two-run double, Hawranick had a two-run single, and Blackwood and Wieters added RBI singles.
The Yellow Jackets added four more runs in the seventh inning, including a RBI single from Loyall Gause and a bases loaded walk to Blackwood.
Hokie starter Ryan Kennedy (5-7) took the loss, allowing nine runs in one-third of an inning.
Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech will conclude the three-game series on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
