Feb. 3, 2002
ATLANTA – The 13th ranked Georgia Tech baseball team defeated a team of Yellow Jacket alumni, 4-0, in an exhibition contest on Sunday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium. The event, which also included autograph sessions with former Tech stars now playing in the Major Leagues, was the first game played at the newly rebuilt, $7 million Russ Chandler Stadium.
The game remained scoreless until the Yellow Jackets took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Freshman Brandon Boggs got things started with a one-out single to left field. After Wes Rynders popped up for the second out of the inning, Eric Patterson drew a two-out walk to put runners on first and second bases. Matthew Boggs delivered a two-out RBI single to center field that gave the Yellow Jackets the lead.
The score held at 1-0 until the bottom of the ninth inning when the Yellow Jackets added three more runs on a fielder’s choice groundout from Matthew Swain and a two-run double from Clifton Remole.
Tech starting pitcher Kyle Bakker was credited with the victory after holding the Alumni team scoreless for six innings on three hits and no walks while striking out seven batters. The Alumni’s Chuck Crowder was the tough-luck loser, surrendering one run in two innings of work.
Several former Tech players in the big leagues were in attendance at the game but did not play, including Kevin Brown of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Jason Varitek of the Boston Red Sox and Doug Creek of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Jim Poole, who pitched in the Majors for 11 years for the Indians, Dodgers, Giants, Expos, Orioles and Tigers, was the starting pitcher for the Alumni team, and recorded a perfect 1-2-3 inning. More than 50 former Tech players were in attendance at the game.
The Tech baseball weekend festivities conclude on Monday evening with the annual benefit banquet at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. The event, which includes a silent auction and a keynote address from Jason Varitek, begins at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact 404-894-4400.
The Yellow Jackets open the 2002 regular season on Saturday, Feb. 9, at Georgia Southern. The 2002 home opener is set for Friday, Feb. 15 at 3 p.m. against Tennessee Tech.
ALUMNI 000 000 000 - 0 3 2GEORGIA TECH 000 010 003 - 4 9 0Jim Poole, Jase Wrigley (2), Chuck Crowder (4), Larry Livingston (6), Jim Zauderer (9)and Jason Basil. Kyle Bakker, Brian Burks (7), Nick Wagner (9) and Tyler Parker.W-Bakker. L-Crowder. HR-None.
