April 14, 2017
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Georgia Tech softball used seven runs on nine hits, including three doubles, in the fifth inning en route to a 10-5 victory in the series opener at Virginia on Friday evening.
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“I thought we did a great job executing on the base paths and we made things happen stringing hits and walks together,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “We played every aspect of our game well today. Every ACC win is a good win so we will enjoy it for a short time and start preparing for tomorrow.”
How it Happened
The Jackets struck first in the opening frame after Jessica Kowalewicz drew a walk and scored on a single by Malea Bell. UVA got it back with two runs on three hits in the opening frame to go up 2-1.
Georgia Tech broke the game open with a seven-run fifth inning in which Tech batted around highlighted by doubles from Kaylee Ellebracht, Bell and Kelsey Chisholm to go with three stolen bases from Colleen Darragh, Draven Sonnon and Kowalewicz.
Virginia tried to chip away at Tech’s lead with a run in the fifth, but Katie Krzus smacked a leadoff home run in the sixth inning for her third long ball of the season to maintain Tech’s six-run lead, 9-3.
The Cavaliers plated two runs with two home runs in the sixth to make it 9-5. The Jackets got a run back after Darragh drew a walk and reached third on a wild pitch and passed ball. Samantha Pierannunzi drew a walk with two outs and as she stole second, Darragh scored on the throw to second.
With a 10-5 lead, Tech shut the door on Virginia in the bottom of the seventh, retiring the Cavaliers in order, including two strike outs from Georgia Tech pitcher Emily Anderson.
Anderson (5-10) earned the win. She struck four batters and allowed five runs on nine hits in a complete-game effort.
Virginia starter Erika Osherow (9-17) suffered the loss after throwing the first 3.1 innings with seven runs on eight hits. Lacy Smith pitched the remaining 3.2 innings with three runs on four hits.
Quick Hits
– Kowalewicz went 1-for-2 with a pair of runs and three walks
– Krzus went 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBI with a home run
– Chisholm added two RBI with a double
– Tech has 14 games with at least two doubles
– The Jackets stole five bases – the most in a game this season
– Bell extended her hitting streak to nine games and her reached base streak to 12 games; She went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI
– Sonnon went 3-for-4 with a run
– Darragh had one hit, two runs and two walks
– Karissa Arnold added a single and a run
– Ellebracht’s hit streak went to seven games
Up Next
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 1 p.m.
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