Oct. 12, 2010
ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech Gold team used RBI-singles from freshmen Mott Hyde and Daniel Palka to back a solid pitching performance by junior Mark Pope for a 2-1 win (7 inn.) over White in game two of the White & Gold World Series Tuesday at Russ Chandler Stadium. The Gold squad leads the series 2-0.
After game one saw 20 runs cross the plate on Monday, game two showcased a pitchers duel between Pope and White team starter Buck Farmer. Farmer allowed two hits in the first inning, but settled down to surrender just one in his final four trips to the mound.
Gold second baseman Jacob Esch started things off with a one-out single through the left side in the top of the first, then stole second to put himself in scoring position on the next pitch. After Farmer retired freshman Mott Hyde on strikes, first baseman Daniel Palka doubled to right-center for the game’s first run.
The Gold squad would add another in the third frame, after taking advantage of a fielding error by centerfielder Brandon Thomas that put Sam Dove on second base to leadoff the inning. With Dove on second, Hyde poked a 2-out single to right field for the 2-0 lead.
Farmer was dealt the loss in a strong performance, allowing just two runs – one earned – on three hits in 5.0 innings pitched. He had nine strikeouts in the outing and allowed just one walk.
Pope earned the win after scattering one run on four hits over 6.0 innings. He had four strikeouts of his own, and issued no walks.
Pope’s only blemish came in the fourth inning, as he allowed a leadoff double to Evan Martin, who eventually scored on a single by freshman outfielder Paul Kronenfeld.
The White team threatened in the seventh inning, putting runners on the corners with no outs on back-to-back singles by Thomas and Kronenfeld. Esch, who moved to the mound from second base to start the inning, went on to strikeout the next three batters to end the game and secure the win.
The series continues at 4 p.m. Wednesday, as freshman Matt Grimes (White) will face senior Taylor Wood (Gold) in game three at Russ Chandler Stadium.
