April 20, 2015
GT Game Notes · 2015 Media Guide · Season Statistics |
GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS (24-15) vs. KENNESAW STATE OWLS (21-18) April 21, 2015 · Atlanta, Ga.· Russ Chandler Stadium (4,157) |
Video ($): RamblinWreck.com | Radio: WREK 91.1 FM Atlanta Listen Live |
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>> Georgia Tech returns home to begin a crucial seven-game homestand Tuesday night versus Kennesaw State at Russ Chandler Stadium. The game can heard live on WREK 91.1 FM in Atlanta. Live audio can also be accessed at RamblinWreck.com and via WREK on the TuneIn app.
>> The Yellow Jackets look to sweep the season series from the Owls and remain unbeaten against in-state opponents. Tech is 6-0 versus state teams, having already swept Georgia Southern and also defeated Georgia, Mercer, Kennesaw State and Georgia State once each. The Owls are 2-4 versus the state, with a win over Georgia last week.
>> Tech leads the all-time series over KSU 17-5, including an extra-inning win earlier this season on the road. In Atlanta, the Jackets are 12-2 versus the Owls. In the 7-6 win on March 17, Kel Johnson’s RBI single tied the game at 5-5 with two outs in the ninth and Tech scored twice in the 11th for the victory.
>> Sophomore LHP Ben Parr is set for Tuesday’s start. In 10 career midweek starts versus in-state opponents, Parr is 6-1 with a 2.14 ERA. His one previous career start vs. KSU was earlier this season — a no-decision as he went 4.2 innings and allowed three hits and two runs (one earned).
>> Tech enters the week No. 17 in the RPI and owns a strength of schedule ranked No. 10. Of Tech’s 24 wins, 14 have comes versus teams 100 or better in the RPI. The Jackets’ RPI is fourth-best in the ACC behind Miami, FSU and Louisville.
>> Tech is outscoring opponents 57-21 over the final two innings plus extras. That includes a +23 margin in the eighth (34-11), +12 in the ninth (20-8) and +1 (3-2) in extra innings. 12 of Tech’s 24 wins are come-from-behind victories, including four when trailing in the eighth inning.
>> Tech is second in the ACC in fielding percentage (.976; 39th NCAA) and is third in double plays (40; 19th NCAA). Last season, the Jackets led the NCAA with 77 double plays and set school records for fielding (.973) and double plays. Since 2012, Tech has fielded .973 as a team and recorded the NCAA’s second-most double plays (233).
>> The Jackets have benefited from strong late-game work from sophomore right-handers Zac Ryan and Matthew Gorst. Ryan is already 5-1 with seven saves and a team-leading ERA of 2.36. Ryan is among the ACC leaders in wins, saves and appearances. Gorst has three wins, a save and sports a 3.56 ERA — he’s 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA versus the ACC.
>> Of Tech’s 347.2 innings pitched this season, 82 percent have come from freshmen or sophomores, which is the highest percentage of any team in the nation.
>> Tech is 17-1 this season when scoring first; 8-3 in one-run games; 7-7 versus ranked team. Sophomore RHP Brandon Gold is 4-0 in series rubber-games — all coming in ACC victories over Notre Dame, Duke, Virginia Tech and Virginia. As a team, the Jackets are 6-1 this season in weekend rubber-games (4-1 in ACC play).