THE FLATS – Jackson Finley blasted two home runs and John Giesler added a third to drive in a combined eight runs and power Georgia Tech baseball to its third-straight win as it downed Gardner-Webb, 15-5, on Friday night at Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets (24-18) scored eight runs in the first three innings, also getting a solo home run from Stephen Reid and multi-hit performances out of Drew Compton (one RBI) and Jadyn Jackson. Kristian Campbell also drove in two runs on the night and Jack Rubenstein tripled. Tech finished with six more runs over the seventh and eighth innings to finish the Runnin’ Bulldogs (24-18) off.
On the mound, RHP Luke Schmolke scuffled in the first two innings, giving up three runs, but settled down to give Tech length, going 4.0 innings and striking out six, putting up zeroes in the third and fourth inning. RHP Ben King (4-0) then earned his fourth win of the season, tossing 2.2 innings of two-hit, two-strikeout ball, surrendering only a solo home run.
LHP Joseph Mannelly, RHP Jackson Vaughan and LHP Noah Samol combined for the remaining 1.1 innings of work to close as just one additional run crossed. Tech pitchers punched out 10 batters on the night and held Gardner-Webb to 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and 2-for-11 with two outs.
GWU was led by Bo Rusher III, who finished 2-for-3 with a two-run homer. LHP Tyler Switalski (7-3) took just his third loss of the season, surrendering nine runs on nine hits in just 3.0 innings.
Georgia Tech continues the non-conference weekend series against Gardner-Webb on Saturday, April 29. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.
Postgame Notes:
- In his last six games — in which Georgia Tech is 4-2 — John Giesler has hit .524 for 11 hits, four doubles, a triple and three home runs for 10 RBI. He’s slugging 1.238 with a .600 on-base percentage, getting hit once and drawing three walks. He’s hitting .417 in his last 10 games.
Multimedia:
Postgame Press Conference (Coach Hall)
Around Social Media
✅ Game 1 pic.twitter.com/20kqP2FS2i
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 29, 2023
Blink and you’ll miss it👀 what a diving snag from @BrantBaughcum03#NCAABaseball x 🎥 ACCNX / @GTBaseballpic.twitter.com/pAqFOfJxt5
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) April 29, 2023
𝙁𝙐𝙇𝙇 𝙀𝙓𝙏𝙀𝙉𝙎𝙄𝙊𝙉@BrantBaughcum03 | #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/Fxh05j34F9
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 29, 2023
Giesler keeps rolling with a ground-rule double!@john_giesler | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/A4FEXFsy2Z
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 29, 2023
Jackson Vaughan gets the big strikeout as Tech continues to lead pic.twitter.com/d9QH8RMrjE
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 29, 2023
110 mph and 423 feet for the second home run of the night for King 🦈 pic.twitter.com/Cnh6ZsVoqO
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 29, 2023
Two strikeouts for @bwking46 to start 😤 pic.twitter.com/VbuYSSQfwA
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 28, 2023
Did we stay stay hot? He's NUCLEAR!@john_giesler | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/CvSXeLTKkA
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 28, 2023
Make it 6️⃣ strikeouts for @LukeSchmolke as he puts up another zero 😤 pic.twitter.com/GdbJBA0boQ
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 28, 2023
It feels great to be back at Georgia Tech! Did you know that I used to teach “applied jazz piano” here a long time ago? pic.twitter.com/r4YgtKBr74
— #61 Matthew Kaminski 🎹 (@bravesorganist) April 28, 2023
.@jruby14 triples before being driven in on a sac fly from @K_Camp24 💪 pic.twitter.com/RPQ8GmFGdb
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 28, 2023
King 🦈 going DEEP SEA FISHING!! pic.twitter.com/CzzXhiHx85
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 28, 2023
STEPHEN REID 🚀@stephennreid | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/RmfHRVAxWr
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 28, 2023
STAY HOT GOOSE!@john_giesler | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/tujSanabXK
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 28, 2023
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