Feb. 16, 2003
ATLANTA – Led by three runs batted in from senior catcher Lindsay Wood and the strong pitching of junior Erin Voeltz, the No. 19 Georgia Tech softball team (4-3) opened its 2003 home schedule with a 7-2 win over Georgia Southern (5-4) Sunday at Glenn Field. The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was called due to rain.
Having struggled at the plate since a season-opening win over Boston College on February 8, Tech equaled season bests with seven runs and seven hits.
Wood got the Jackets on the board in the bottom of the first with a single to right center that scored first baseman Katie Donovan from second and gave the Jackets a 1-0 lead after one inning.
Tech increased its lead to 2-0 in the third on a double down the left field line by second baseman Felicia Coursey to score right fielder Kirin Kumar, who reached via a bunt single, from first. After a walk to Donovan and an infield single to short by shortstop Tara Knudsen, Wood struck again, this time with a double right that scored two and increased the Jackets’ lead to 4-0.
Sophomore designated player Liz Bartle pushed the margin to 6-0 with her own double to right in the fifth. The hit drove in Donovan, who scored for the third time on the day, and Wood, who walked. Pinch runner Tara Neff, who entered for Bartle, then scored on a throwing error by Eagle third baseman Karen Smillie, giving Tech a 7-0 advantage.
With heavy rains now coming down, Georgia Southern scratched for two runs in the top of the sixth on a double by pitcher Tiffany Urena. The game was then called in the bottom of the inning due to the weather.
Voeltz earned the win to improve to 3-0 on the season. She allowed five hits and two runs in six innings pitched. Voeltz also fanned six batters. Georgia Southern starter Janice Savage took the loss, allowing four runs and five hits in 2.1 innings.
At the plate, Wood and Bartle led Tech with two hits apiece. Wood now leads the Jackets with seven RBI on the season.
Tech returns to action Tuesday for a 2 p.m. doubleheader at Furman.
-GT-
