May 6, 2002
ATLANTA – Chris Goodman worked eight shutout innings and Matthew Boggs drove in five runs on four hits as ninth-ranked Georgia Tech (38-10, 12-8 ACC) shut out top-ranked Clemson (39-8, 13-5 ACC), 11-0, on Monday evening at Russ Chandler Stadium. The victory gave the Yellow Jackets a 2-1 win in the three-game series with the Tigers, and it marked the first series that Clemson has lost this season.
Goodman improved to 6-0 after holding the Tigers scorless on five hits in eight innings, tying the longest outing of his career. The converted shortstop struck out seven batters while walking just one. Reliever Jeff Watchko pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout.
Boggs, a fifth-year senior, was a perfect 4-for-4 in the game with two doubles while driving in a career high five runs. The four hits tied a career high. Tech’s Victor Menocal and Jeremy Slayden added two hits apiece in the victory.
The Yellow Jackets struck early, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Eric Patterson led things off with a walk before Slayden belted a two-run homer, his team-leading 14th of the season. The inning continued as Matt Murton and Tyler Parker received back-to-back walks before Brandon Boggs drove them in with a single to right field. Bradon Boggs then came around to score on Matthew Boggs’ first double of the game.
Tech added two runs in the fifth inning to stretch the lead to 8-0. Brandon Boggs walked and eventually scored on a safety squeeze bunt by Matthew Boggs. Eric Patterson delivered a RBI single to drive in the second run of the inning. The Yellow Jackets added a run in the seventh and two in the eight to provide the final 11-0 margin.
Clemson starter B.J. LaMura (5-2) took the loss after lasting just two-thirds of an inning. He allowed six runs on two hits while walking four.
The Yellow Jackets’ offense carried the team in the three-game series with the Tigers. Tech scored 35 runs on 44 hits in the three games and had a team batting average of .389.
Tech’s shutout of Clemson was its first against the Tigers since the 1996 season.
Georgia Tech will return to action when the Yellow Jackets travel to Macon for a game against Mercer University at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Freshman right hander Kyle Schmidt (3-2, 3.63 ERA) is expected to make his ninth start of the season. Live scoring for the game will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
