March 1, 2014
Box Score | GT Photo Gallery (Game 1) | GT Photo Gallery (Game 2)
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech softball team split its first two games in Atlantic Coast Conference play Saturday against Boston College at Mewborn Field. The Yellow Jackets (11-3, 1-1 ACC) won the conference opener 6-1, before falling, 13-3 in five innings, to the Eagles (7-5, 1-1). The rubber match is set for Sunday at 12 p.m.
Senior Alysha Rudnik went 4-for-5 on the day with two home runs and four RBI, while Ashley Thomas was 3-for-5 with three runs and a home run. Sophomore Maddie Lionberger added two hits on four at bats to go along with a home run and four RBI.
“Alysha Rudnik led the team in the first game and she did a great job,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “She saw the ball really well. We just executed pretty well in the first game. Kylie threw a great game again. We were very focused in that first game and wanted to set the tone of ACC play.”
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Game 1: Georgia Tech 6, Boston College 1
The Yellow Jackets scored all six of their runs on two-run home runs. It marks the fourth game this season that the Jackets have hit at least two home runs.
Rudnik blasted the first of her two in the game in the first inning to score Ashley Thomas. Lionberger added her third long ball of the season in the second, scoring Chelsie Thomas who reached on a Boston College error.
Rudnik stepped to the plate again in the fifth and roped her fourth round-tripper scoring Ashley Thomas who singled to get on base.
Kylie Kleinschmidt (8-0) stayed undefeated in the circle, allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
Boston College starter Nicole D’Argento (4-4) suffered the loss, giving up six runs on six hits in five innings of work.
Game 2: Boston College 13, Georgia Tech 3 (5)
Boston College broke the game open in the third inning with five runs on five hits. The Jackets got on the board in the bottom of the same frame thanks to a solo home run by Ashley Thomas.
The Jackets chipped away in the fourth inning with two runs. Katie Johnsky continued her streak and reached base safely in all 14 games this season with a single, and Kanani Cabrales followed with a base hit.
A sacrifice bunt from Chelsie Thomas put the runners in scoring position for Lionberger, who stepped to the plate and ripped a two-RBI single to right, closing the gap to 5-3.
The Eagles countered with eight runs on five hits in the fifth inning, extending their lead to the final 13-3. It marks the first win for Boston College against Georgia Tech since a 1-0 victory on April 4, 2009.
“We have to throw strikes,” Hoerner said. “They threw the same pitcher and we were starting to hit her a little bit better in the middle of the game. Unfortunately, we didn’t throw strikes and to be successful in the ACC you have to be able to do that.
“We need to limit our walks tomorrow. The more we give them free base runners that comes back to hurt us. That was the difference of the game today. Boston College did a great job of hitting the ball today. They executed and we didn’t in the second game.”
Kanani Cabrales (3-3) absorbed the loss, pitching 4.1 innings with nine runs on seven hits.
D’Argento (5-4) pitched 4.0 innings with three runs on seven hits to earn the victory.
