Feb. 22, 2013
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – Junior Ashley Thomas posted the only hit for Georgia Tech as the Yellow Jackets suffered a run-rule loss, 8-0, in six innings Friday to No. 8 California at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, Calif.
Ashley Thomas logged the lone hit for Tech in the top of the fourth inning. Her infield single split the first and second basemen, both went to field the ball leaving first base uncovered.
The McKinney, Texas native, currently enjoys a 12-game hitting streak and has reached base safely in all 13 games so far this season.
The Bears jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Georgia Tech starter Ashley Clifton walked the leadoff batter, who moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Another walk by Clifton put runners on first and second, for cleanup hitter Victoria Jones.
Jones blasted a shot to deep centerfield and the ball was in centerfielder Maddie Lionberger’s glove before it popped out and went over the fence, allowing all three runs to score on the play.
California tacked on two additional runs in the third inning, which induced a Georgia Tech pitching change. Kylie Kleinschmidt headed to the circle to tackle the last 2.2 innings. Kleinschmidt worked her way out of two bases loaded situations in the fourth and fifth innings.
But Kleinschmidt couldn’t work her way out of the sixth inning as the Bears scored three additional runs on four hits to end the game.
Clifton (0-1) suffered the loss and pitched 3.0 innings with five runs, two of them earned, on two hits. Kleinschmidt allowed three runs, all earned, on seven hits with four strikeouts.
Jolene Henderson (7-2) pitched a one-hit shutout with eight strikeouts for the win.
The Jackets continue action at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic Saturday at 9:30 a.m. PT/12:30 p.m. ET against No. 5 Florida, followed by a 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET contest against Oregon State.
