May 10, 2005
ATLANTA – Mike Costanzo drove in four runs and pitched the final 2.2 innings to record the save as Coastal Carolina (38-11) rallied from an early 4-0 deficit and held off fifth-ranked Georgia Tech (34-14), 7-6, on Tuesday night at Russ Chandler Stadium.
At the plate, Costanzo went 2-for-3 with his team-leading 10th home run. The right-hander worker 2.2 innings and allowed one run while striking out five to pick up his team-high 11th save of the year.
Coastal Carolina starter Andy DeLaGarza (3-3) settled down after a rough first inning to earn the victory. After allowing four runs on four hits in the opening frame, he held the Yellow Jackets to one run on three hits over the next 5.1 innings. He issued four walks and struck out three.
Jon Foisy went 3-for-4 and scored three runs, and Tommy Baldridge added two hits. The Chanticleers outhit the Yellow Jackets, 12-10.
The Yellow Jackets jumped to a 4-0 lead in the first inning when each of the first four hitters in the lineup reached base and scored. Steven Blackwood and Whit Robbins had RBI singles, Andy Hawranick added a sacrifice fly and Matt Wieters drove in a run with a groundout.
The Chanticleers took advantage of wildness from Tech starter Jason Neighborgall to tie the game at 4-4 in the third innings. Coastal Carolina scored on three bases loaded walks and a wild pitch.
A two-run homer from Costanzo gave the Chanticleers a 6-4 lead in the fourth inning. Costanzo added a RBI single in the sixth to extend the lead to 7-4.
Tech pulled to within 7-5 in the seventh inning when the Yellow Jackets loaded the bases with two outs and pinch hitter Jeremy Slayden was hit by a pitch. Tech had a chance to do more damage, but Costanzo retired Robbins on a pop out to end the inning.
The Yellow Jackets had a scoring opportunity in the eighth as Mike Trapani and Danny Payne worked walks to lead off the inning. Costanzo worked out of the jam by striking out Tyler Greene and inducing a double play ground ball from Blackwood.
Tech mounted a final rally in the ninth inning when consecutive one-out doubles from Wieters and Jeff Kindel pulled the Yellow Jackets to within 7-6. But Costanzo escaped further trouble by striking out Michael Fisher and Robbins to end the game.
Tech reliever Jared Hyatt (2-2) took the loss, allowing two runs in 1.1 innings. Yellow Jacket pitchers issued eight walks, including five from Neighborgall, who allowed four runs in 2.2 innings. Tech’s offense hit into four double plays and left 11 runners on base.
Georgia Tech hosts Virginia Tech for a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series this weekend at Russ Chandler Stadium, beginning on Friday at 7 p.m.
