May 13, 2003
ATLANTA – Jasha Balcom’s three-run double highlighted an eight run sixth inning as Georgia (29-23) defeated No. 10 Georgia Tech (37-14), 10-3, on Tuesday night before 8,900 fans at Turner Field in the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Spring Baseball Classic.
Georgia starter Paul Lubrano (5-3) earned his second win in as many starts against Georgia Tech this season after limiting the Yellow Jackets to three runs, two earned, on seven hits in six innings. He issued three walks and struck out two batters. The left-hander earned his first win over Tech on Apr. 23 at Russ Chandler Stadium when he worked 5.2 innings and allowed three runs.
The Yellow Jackets took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Eric Patterson led off with a single, took third base on Steven Blackwood’s single and scored on Matt Murton’s RBI groundout. The Bulldogs tied the score at 1-1 in the second inning after Marshall Szabo reached on a fielder’s choice and eventually scored on Clint Sammons’ sacrifice fly.
A RBI single from Tyler Greene plated Clifton Remole to give the Yellow Jackets a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Georgia exploded for eight runs, four of which were unearned, in the top of the sixth inning to take a 9-2 lead. Lee Mitchell tied the score with a solo home run, his 10th of the season, before Jasha Balcom drove in three runs with a two-out, bases clearing double. Balcom scored on Tech second baseman Eric Patterson’s fielding error. Justin Holmes scored on a balk and Jon Armitage added a two-run single to cap the inning.
Tech pulled to within 9-3 in the bottom of the sixth inning when Micah Owings singled and scored on Greene’s RBI groundout. The Bulldogs answered with a two-out RBI single from Armitage to make the score 10-3.
Tech starter Aaron Walker (2-2) took the loss despite a solid outing. Walker worked a career-high 5.2 innings and allowed four runs on seven hits.
Josh Smith paced the Georgia offense with a 3-for-4 performance, while Mitchell, Armitage, Balcom and Justin McClain added two hits apiece. Owings and Blackwood had two hits each for the Yellow Jackets.
Tuesday’s Tech-Georgia contest marked the first college game played at Turner Field. All proceeds of the event went to the Brain Tumor Services of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Georgia Tech returns to action on Thursday at 7 p.m. when the Yellow Jackets host NC State in the opener of a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series. The series, which will conclude the 2003 regular season schedule, continues on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Live statistics will be available on the internet at www.ramblinwreck.com.
