Feb. 22, 2007
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ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech softball team (8-1) will travel to Columbus, Ga., for the annual NFCA Leadoff Classic, Feb. 23-25, at South Commons Complex. The Yellow Jackets will face No. 16 Baylor (12-2) and No. 27 DePaul (5-2) on Friday at Noon and 5 p.m., respectively. Tech will then take on No. 24 Massachusetts (2-2-1) at 10:30 a.m. and face No. 19 Florida (12-3) at 1p.m. on Saturday to round out pool play.
“The Leadoff Classic always host a ton of ranked teams and possesses a tremendous challenge to our team early in the season,” said Tech coach Sharon Perkins. “We have really swung the bat well early this year and look forward to seeing where we match up with some of the nation’s elite this weekend.”
Game Coverage
The entire tournament can be followed at www.ramblinwreck.com via live stats.
History at the Leadoff Classic
The Yellow Jackets have appeared in the NFCA Leadoff Classic in each of the previous three seasons. Tech holds an overall record of 5-7 at the prestigious tournament and finished runner-up to Notre Dame in 2004 in the Silver Championship.
The Jackets have faced Michigan (0-2) and Nebraska (1-1) twice, Alabama (0-1), DePaul (1-0), Fresno State (1-0), Hofstra (1-0), Notre Dame (0-1), South Carolina (0-1), Southern Illinois (0-1) and Virginia Tech (1-0) once.
Over the Barn
Junior transfer Brittany Barnes has made herself noticed early on for the Yellow Jackets. Barnes, a native of Lawrenceville, Ga., drove in 13 runs this past weekend and has five dingers and 21 RBIs in just 22 at bats in the 2007 season. She has hit three three-run home runs and a grand slam in her last five ballgames.
A Grand Ole Time
Brittany Barnes and Whitney Haller pulled off a Georgia Tech first last Tuesday. Barnes hit her first grand slam of her career in the third inning of game one against Gardner-Webb (Feb. 20), and then Haller matched that in the same inning with her first grand slam of her career. Barnes finished the game with two home runs (tying a school record), and a single-game Tech record seven runs batted in.
Next Up for the Jackets
Georgia Tech will return home for a single non-conference game with Oakland University on Tuesday at 3 p.m. The Yellow Jackets will then host Chattanooga for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, scheduled for a 1 p.m. start. All home games at Glenn Field are free admission.
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