Feb. 28, 2016
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THE FLATS – Behind another strong pitching performance from freshman Jonathan Hughes, the 17th-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wrapped up its weekend series sweep Sunday with a 6-1 win over UMBC.
Hughes (2-0) scattered six hits and struck out four in 6.0 innings of work. Hughes has yet to allow an earned run in the first 12.0 innings of his career. Matthew Gorst earned his second save of the season, retired all six Retrievers he faced in the final two innings.
Georgia Tech (7-0) is 7-0 to start the season for the first time since 2010. The Jackets have now won 17 straight nonconference home games.
THE LINEUPS
UMBC – Kevin Lachance SS, Nick Naumann LF, Hunter Dolshun C, Anthony Gatto 1B, Jamie Switalski DH, Andrew Casali CF, A.J. Wright 3B, Tim Kelly RF, Mitchell Carroll 2B, Riley Stephenson P
Georgia Tech – Wade Bailey 2B, Connor Justus SS, Matt Gonzalez LF, Tristin English DH, Brandon Gold 1B, Brandt Stallings RF, Ryan Peurifoy CF, Arden Pabst C, Trevor Craport 3B, Jonathan Hughes P
THE BASICS
• Georgia Tech swept the three-game series with UMBC.
• Georgia Tech has won 17 straight nonconference home games.
• Georgia Tech is 7-0 to start the season for the first time since 2010.
• Tech’s seven-game winning streak is its longest since April 2014.
• Georgia Tech is now 857-251-1 all-time at Russ Chandler Stadium.
• Tech turned one double play, increasing its season total to 13. The Jackets have turned 262 double plays since 2012 – the second-most in the nation during that span.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Georgia Tech and UMBC traded blanks through the first four innings. UMBC posted three hits in the first inning, but starter Jonathan Hughes was able to get out of the jam.
• The Jackets were hitless through three innings. Connor Justus doubled down the left field line in the fourth, but the Jackets weren’t able to produce any runs until the fifth.
• Brandon Gold opened the fifth with a double to right-center. On the ensuing at bat, Gold broke once Brandt Stallings made contact at the plate. Stallings’ RBI single dropped in front of the diving centerfield to score Gold for a 1-0 lead.
• Tech added another run in the sixth for a 2-0 lead. Wade Bailey scored on Matt Gonzalez’s RBI groundout to second.
• In the top of the seventh, Burton Dulaney gave up the first home run to a Jackets opponent this season. Kevin Lachance’s solo shot to left was all the Retrievers could muster on Sunday afternoon.
• Georgia Tech added four insurance runs in the eighth to take the decisive 6-1 win. Tech loaded the bases on two walks and an infield bunt single. Tristin English drew a bases-loaded walk for a 3-1 lead. Gold plated two more runs with a two-run single to center. Carter Hall scored the Jackets’ final run on a passed ball.
QUOTE BOARD “I thought Jonathan Hughes pitched well, he pitched out of trouble. They hit him early, but he kept fighting. He didn’t give up any runs. We were able to scratch a few hits; the infield bunt ended up being a huge play. They missed played it and then made a throwing error to third. It ended up working out for us. And then Brandon Gold with a big hit for us to knock in some runs was crucial.” – Georgia Tech head coach Danny Hall on Sunday’s win
“It’s a lot of fun. These guys go out and compete every day. Just a great group of guys. Our team cohesion is just off the charts, you know. It’s something really special when you go through all the conditioning and all the workouts, and then you go out and let it all fly. When it comes together like it has, it’s really special.” – Georgia Tech junior SS Connor Justus on team chemistry
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Connor Justus and Brandon Gold led the Yellow Jackets with two hits apiece. Gold led Tech with two RBI.
• Freshman Brandt Stallings, freshman Tristin English and senior Matt Gonzalez each drove in a run.
• Starter Jonathan Hughes notched his second career win in as a many chances. Hughes has yet to allow an earned run in 12.0 innings of work.
• Matthew Gorst earned his second save of the season and third of his career. Gorst struck out three and retired all six batters he faced in 2.0 innings of relief.
UP NEXT
No. 17 Georgia Tech continues its seven-game homestand Tuesday when the Yellow Jackets cross-town rivals Georgia State to Russ Chandler Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. Fans can watch the game live on RamblinWreck.com or listen to WREK 91.1 FM.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GTBaseball), Facebook (facebook.com/GTbaseball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
