Open mobile menu

SB Splits DH; Wins Game Two in Walk Off Fashion

March 26, 2016

Box Score |  GT Photo Gallery 

Box Score 1  | Box Score 2 

THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech softball team (13-19, 2-7 ACC) split a doubleheader against Virginia Tech (14-15, 9-3) Saturday on the Yellow Jackets’ annual StrikeOut Cancer day. After falling in game one, 5-0, the Jackets and Hokies were scoreless in the bottom of the seventh in game two when Maddie Lionberger roped a leadoff home run to left for the walk-off win.

On a special day at Mewborn Field, two-time cancer survivor and Assistant Vice President and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President Lynn Durham threw out the first pitch. Seven-year-old Kamryn Munoz, a cancer survivor, served as the bat girl in game two.

Quote
“In the second game, we came out and played well all the way around from our pitching, to our hitting, to our fielding,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “We never gave up and I thought the entire team was fighting every pitch. I’m proud of the way Emily pitched. I thought she pitched great this weekend. Maddie had a look in her eye, and she struck the ball well. I’m proud of the team for fighting in that second game.

“It was a special day today. It hits home with a lot of our Georgia Tech softball family. Having Lynn Durham as a two-time cancer survivor throw out the first pitch and be here was pretty special. Having our bat girl in the second game, Kamryn, who is a cancer survivor as well was also special. As a young kid, to fight through that awful disease, shows us it’s all about more than a game, it’s about life. To see her smile on her face was special for everybody.”

How It Happened.
Game 1: Virginia Tech 5, Georgia Tech 0
The Hokies loaded the bases in the second inning and drew a walk to plate their first run of the game. Virginia Tech expanded that lead to 5-0 with four runs on three hits in the fourth inning.

Samantha Pierannunzi doubled to left in the bottom of the sixth with two outs for the Yellow Jackets’ first hit of the game. She made it to third on a wild pitch, but a strikeout ended the scoring opportunity.

Jenna Goodrich (4-8) was pinned with the loss. She surrendered five runs, four earned, on six hits with eight strikeouts in a complete-game effort. Maggie Tyler (11-8) earned the win for the Hokies.

Game 2: Georgia Tech 1, Virginia Tech 0
A pitcher’s duel until the seventh inning, the Jackets and Hokies took a 0-0 tie to the bottom of the seventh. Lionberger stepped to the plate and roped a leadoff home run, her first long ball of the season, over the left field wall for the win.

Emily Anderson (9-11) limited the Hokies to five hits with no runs and struck out eight batters in seven innings pitched.

Virginia Tech starter Mikaela Aiken pitched six scoreless innings while allowing five hits. Tyler (11-9) entered in relief in the seventh and suffered the loss after giving up the home run.

Quick hits
– The Jackets out-hit the Hokies 6-5 in game two.
– Lionberger’s home run was the first of the season for her and 13th of the season for Georgia Tech.
– Pierannunzi tallied two hits on the day.
Kelsey Chisholm, Katie Krzus and Draven Sonnon each had a hit.
Malea Bell hit a pinch-hit double to leadoff the fifth inning in game two.
– The Jackets are auctioning off their game-worn pink jerseys with the net proceeds benefitting the Susan G. Komen Foundation – to bid visit, http://ramblinwreck.cstvauctions.com/gallery.cfm

Up Next
The Yellow Jackets travel to cross-state rival Georgia for a Tuesday tilt at 6 p.m. in Athens, Ga. on the SEC Network +.

Keep up with Yellow Jacket softball this season by following Georgia Tech Softball on Twitter at @GaTechSoftball, Instagram at @GaTechSoftball and liking Georgia Tech Softball on Facebook.

RELATED HEADLINES

Softball Jackets Cruise past ‘Cuse

Voyles records 100th strikeout in strong team effort

Jackets Cruise past ‘Cuse
Softball Tech Travels for Series at Syracuse
Tech Travels for Series at Syracuse
Softball Today’s Softball Game is Postponed

The Yellow Jackets will play next at Syracuse on Thursday

Today’s Softball Game is Postponed
Partner of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Legends Partner of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Partner of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Partner of Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets