Feb. 22, 2002
Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Sophomore Kyle Bakker went seven shutout innings to lead eighth-ranked Georgia Tech to its seventh straight victory to open the 2002 season, a 2-1 win over host Coastal Carolina in the first day of the Baseball at the Beach at Coastal Federal Field in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Georgia Tech improved to 7-0 to start the season for the first time since opening the 1997 season with 10 straight wins.
Bakker (3-0) was dominant for seven shutout innings, holding the Chanticleers (5-2) hitless for the first 5.1 innings of the game. He tied a career high with 11 strikeouts, and he held Coastal Carolina to just three singles and one walk.
Bakker tied a Georgia Tech record when he struck out four batters in the first inning after Justin Owens struck out and reached first base on a wild pitch. Brad Rigby (1994) and Ed Lafitte (1906) stand as the only other pitchers in Tech history to accomplish the feat.
Tech’s Brian Burks earned his second save of the season by tossing 1.1 scoreless innings to close out the game.
Coastal Carolina pitcher Brian Fischer (1-1) was the tough luck loser after a strong performance. Fischer allowed two unearned runs on six hits in 7.1 innings. He issued one walk and struck out 10.
Tech broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning. Matthew Boggs reached base with two outs when first baseman Justin Owens bobbled a routine ground ball to prolong the inning. Victor Menocal laced a 3-1 pitch off the left field wall for a RBI double that plated Boggs.
The Yellow Jackets made the score 2-0 in the top of the seventh with another unearned run. Tyler Parker singled up the middle with one out. Parker advanced to third base when Jeremy Slayden laid down a surprise bunt, legging it out for single, and catcher Randy McGarvey’s throw sailed past first base and into right field. Brandon Boggs drove in Parker with a sacrifice fly to right field.
The Chanticleers mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh, putting runners on first and second with one out after a pair of base hits, but Bakker worked out of the jam by retiring the next two batters.
Coastal Carolina finally scratched the scoreboard in the bottom of the eighth, trimming the lead to 2-1. The Chanticleers loaded the bases with one out with a single, error and walk. Brandon Powell drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to left field, but Burks came out of the Tech bullpen to stop the rally and preserve the Yellow Jackets’ victory.
Georgia Tech will face South Carolina on Saturday at 12 noon in the Baseball at the Beach tournament. Coastal Carolina and Virginia Commonwealth will play at 4 p.m.
