Feb. 24, 2007
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Sophomore Tiffany Johnson tossed a two-hit, complete-game shutout, striking out seven, and junior Savannah Brown drove in all three runs to lead Georgia Tech (11-1) to a 3-0 victory over No. 24 Massachusetts (2-5-1) on Saturday at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
The Yellow Jackets extend their winning streak to nine games and are 3-0 in pool play. Sophomore Whitney Haller increased her hitting streak to nine games, going 1-for-3. Junior Aileen Morales and Brown both extended their hitting streaks to four games, as Morales led Tech with two hits (2-for-3).
The Yellow Jackets struck in the top of the first inning against the Minutewomen as Brown drove in three runs on a double off the left field fence with the bases loaded as Tech led 3-0.
The Minutewomen’s Brandice Balschmiter (1-3) went the distance, allowing three runs in the first inning, two earned runs, and struck out six. She held the Tech bats to just seven hits.
The Jackets loaded the bases for a second consecutive inning in the top of the second with two outs, but UMass’ Balschmiter recorded her second strikeout of the game to keep Tech from opening the game up.
The Minutewomen’s Whitney Mollica and Samantha Salato had consecutive singles through the right side with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning to pose the first threat for UMass. Johnson responded for the Jackets with a big strikeout and induced a grounder to the shortstop but the throw was late to second base as the bases were loaded with two outs. With a full count, Johnson recorded a pop put to second base to keep UMass from scoring as the Jackets maintained a 3-0 lead after four innings of play.
UMass put its first two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh inning on leadoff walks. Johnson then struck out one, induced a ground out to herself and a foul out to the catcher to end the threat and toss her first complete game of the season.
Tech scored three runs, on seven hits and had no errors, while UMass had no runs, on two hits and committed one error.
The Yellow Jackets will face No. 19 Florida (13-3) at 1 p.m. to round out pool play. The game can be followed on www.ramblinwreck.com.
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