LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Georgia Tech softball (16-9, 0-7 ACC) was edged by Louisville (17-8, 1-0 ACC), 11-8, after a late Cardinal push on Friday at Ulmer Stadium. The Yellow Jackets initially jumped ahead 6-0, but couldn’t keep pace with Louisville’s 11 combined runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Sophomore shortstop Jin Sileo had the most efficient day at the plate for the White and Gold, going 3-for-4 with a double and a pair of runs scored. Graduate first baseman Tricia Awald finished without a blemish at the dish as she went 1-for-1 with a solo homerun and two RBI, also drawing a career-high four walks. Junior designated player Caroline Davis had an impactful day as well, matching Awald’s solo dinger and two RBI.
In a pitcher’s duel early, the first three innings were scoreless. Tech burst through in the top of the fourth, catching fire to bat around the lineup and score six runs. Awald and Davis got the Jackets started, knocking back-to-back solo shots. Freshman second baseman Grace Connelly nearly followed up with a third straight home run, blasting a triple off the top of the wall in left. A walk and single later, freshman left fielder Auburn Dupree connected on a single up the middle to score Connelly and keep the bases loaded as the White and Gold led 3-0. A fielder’s choice next sent in pinch runner Kennedy Cowden as all runners reached and continued to fully occupy the base path. Tech scored two more runs in the frame as a wild pitch allowed Sileo to slip home, and a bases-loaded walk pushed home Dupree for a 6-0 Yellow Jacket advantage.
Louisville clawed back in the bottom of the fifth, scoring in chunks with a three-RBI home run and a two-run shot to trim the Tech lead to 6-5. The Cardinals rallied once more in the sixth, knotting the score with a solo shot before taking a 7-6 lead on a wild throw in the infield. To follow, Louisville laced a grand slam, jumping ahead 11-6.
The Jackets made a final push in the top of the seventh as Sileo started off the inning with a leadoff double. Sophomore catcher Sara Beth Allen then stepped in to pinch hit and drove in Sileo with an RBI single. An error and a walk shortly after loaded the bases, allowing yet another walk to move home one more run, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with the bases still loaded. Tech was unable to do any more damage, ultimately falling 11-8.
Game Notes
- Awald drew a career-high four walks in the contest. The tally also marked the most walks drawn in a game by any Jacket this season.
- Awald’s blast was her third this season as she now boasts 39 on her career.
- Davis’ home run marked her sixth on the year as she continues to lead the squad this season. She owns seven dingers through her career.
- Junior hurler Chandler Dennis saw the bulk of the action in the circle, initially tossing four scoreless innings.
- Freshman slinger Sophia Voyles made her fourth appearance of the season, striking out two of the three batters she faced.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets and Cardinals will square off again in game two of the series on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Ulmer Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ACC Network.
Multimedia
🥎𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐘🥎
🆚: Louisville
⏰: 4⃣ p.m.
📍: Louisville, Ky.
🏟️: Ulmer Stadium
📺: https://t.co/0WV4lWN39W
📈: https://t.co/DQlzjKCPo2#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/16JHt9K57y— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
⚠️𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗟𝗘 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘⚠️
Please note today's shift to a 4⃣ p.m. start due to potential ⛈️ later this evening.
📰: https://t.co/IFUIEr15K7#BeGold /// #404Institute https://t.co/UfwyJJwOwY
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
𝓡𝓸𝓪𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓼 🧵#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/Nq4OQR8Otu
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
In the nest 🏟#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/qrJtTiPckU
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
'Bout that ⏰#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/XGTlzk8Eqn
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
🥎 or 🏌️♀️❔
Tune in on ACC Network Extra
📺: https://t.co/0WV4lWN39W#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/WZoXs3QIxU— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
🏃♀️💨
Tune in on ACC Network Extra
📺: https://t.co/0WV4lWvrLm#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/lhbFoyEVsW— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
𝘼𝙙𝙞ó𝙨 👋@TriciaAwald22 puts the team on her back with a solo shot❕
📺: https://t.co/0WV4lWvrLm#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/aLzWsakIs0
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 ✌️ 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 💣💣
Somebody should've warned the Cards that @carolineadavis can rake😅 She does lead the squad in dingers after all 🤷♀️
📺: https://t.co/0WV4lWvrLm#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/mWJZVVJjve
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
𝚃𝚁𝙸𝙿𝙻𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚁 #⃣3⃣@grace_connelly3 blisters Tech's third straight hard-hit ball 𝘖𝘍𝘍 𝘛𝘏𝘌 𝘞𝘈𝘓𝘓 💥
📺: https://t.co/0WV4lWvrLm#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/w5MyEITjwS
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
Bat on ball ✔️
No need to do too much when you can find a hole 🤷♀️
📺: https://t.co/0WV4lWvrLm#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/c4Zds3fUYE
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
The social person can't keep up 😅
3⃣ more runs come in for the Jackets as @Kennedy_Cowden, @JinSileo and @auburn_dupree all use their wheels to get home 👏👏👏
Jackets lead 6⃣-0⃣ 🔥#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/z5f1GhDZ1V
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
For future reference, we wouldn't recommend floating one anywhere near @auburn_dupree's direction 🏃♀️💨 @RawlingsSB x @NFCAorg
📺: https://t.co/0WV4lWvrLm#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/yrDJaXEOL8
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
Still alive thanks to SB❕
📺: https://t.co/0WV4lWvrLm#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/A7eL9V7XpH
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
🚶♀️🏠@mallorieblack1 is walked in, and we have a 3⃣-run ball game with 🦆🦆🦆 on the pond and the go-ahead run at the plate 👀#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/c9F5BPFRGm
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
The comeback bid falls short. We're back at it tomorrow.#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/DffvYiTcod
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) March 18, 2022
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