Feb. 13, 2015
Michigan Box Score | Nebraska Box Score
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Georgia Tech softball team (1-6) split on the first day of the FSU Unconquered Invitational Friday at JoAnne Graf Field. The Yellow Jackets fell to No. 7 Michigan (5-1) in five innings 10-0, before defeating No. 20 Nebraska (4-2), 11-2, in five innings.
The Jackets continue action at the FSU Unconquered Invitational Saturday with a rematch against Nebraska at 10 a.m. and a game against Western Kentucky University at 3 p.m.
“I thought we rebounded very well today,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “In this game you have to have a short memory. Emily Anderson pitched a great game and kept a powerful hitting Nebraska team off balance. Our timely hitting along with great discipline at the plate helped secure the win. It was a great team win.”
On the day, Karly Fullem went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs, while Maddie Lionberger had two hits on four at-bats and a pair of runs. Courtney Ziese also tallied two hits and Kelsey Chisholm record a pair of hits, including a grand slam against the Huskers.
Michigan 10, Georgia Tech 0
Michigan started off hot with five runs in the opening frame. The Wolverines loaded the bases with one out and drew a walk to bring in a run. Lauren Sweet stepped to the plate and hit a grand slam to give Michigan a 5-0 lead. The Wolverines put up another five-spot in the top of the third to take a 10-0 lead.
The Jackets had their best chance to avoid the shutout in the bottom of the fifth inning. Caitlyn Coffey drew a leadoff walk followed by Draven Sonnon’s first collegiate hit down the left line. With one out, a sacrifice bunt by Chelsie Thomas moved the runners up, but the Jackets grounded out to end the game.
Kylie Kleinschmidt (0-4) suffered the loss, pitching a third of the first inning. Christina Biggerstaff came in and pitched the remaining 4.2 innings with five runs on six hits and three strikeouts.
Nebraska’s Megan Betsa (2-0) earned the win, going 4.0 innings with one hit and four walks.
Georgia Tech 11, Nebraska 2
Georgia Tech’s bats came alive against the Huskers. The Jackets scored 11 runs on 10 hits, and capitalized on 10 walks dished out by the Huskers.
The Jackets opened up the scoring in the first inning. Samantha Pierannunzi drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Thomas. Back-to-back doubles by Lionberger and Fullem scored Pierannunzi. A sacrifice fly to center from Katie Johnsky scored Lionberger, and Fullem scored on a Nebraska passed ball.
The Jackets added two runs in the third inning for a 5-1 lead. In the fourth frame, Fullem and Johnsky walked, while Jessica Kowalewicz was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Freshman Chisholm stepped to the plated and rocked the first homerun of her career – a grand slam – to deep center, giving Tech a 9-1 lead.
Courtney Ziese continued the scoring hot streak with a two-run no-out double to left, scoring Lionberger and pinch runner Colleen Darragh to give the Jackets an 11-1 lead.
The Huskers managed to score another run in the bottom of the fifth inning and had two on base with one out, but the Jackets forced two fly outs to left field to end the game and earn the win.
Freshman Emily Anderson (1-2) pitched the complete game, allowing two runs on five hits.
Nebraska used three pitchers in the loss with starter Cassie McClure (3-1) suffering her first loss on the season, giving up five runs on six hits in two innings pitched.
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