GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Georgia Tech softball (38-18, 11-13 ACC) suffered a gut-wrenching defeat at the hands of Wisconsin (30-20, 12-11 Big Ten), 7-6, in the elimination game of the Gainesville Regional on Sunday at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The second-seeded Yellow Jackets rallied from down two to take a 6-2 lead in the top of the sixth, but were unable to hang on through the third-seeded Badgers’ final two at-bats.
The White and Gold had multiple bats come through in key moments as four Yellow Jackets tallied multiple hits on the day. Freshman designated player Emma Minghini had the most production, going 2-for-4 with three RBI. Junior catcher Emma Kauf also went 2-for-4 with an RBI as she roped her 25th double of the season. Sophomore shortstop Jin Sileo and freshman left fielder Auburn Dupree both went 2-for-3, with the former also adding an RBI. Graduate first baseman Tricia Awald was efficient as well, matching Kauf’s double as she picked up a hit and a pair of walks as well.
In the circle, senior slinger Lexi Ray saw the most success in relief, tossing three scoreless innings while adding three punchouts.
Softball vs. Wisconsin - Gainesville Regional Game 3
May 22, 2022
The Badgers struck first, knocking solo shots in each of the first two innings to slip ahead, 2-0.
Following two scoreless innings for both sides, the Jacket bats caught fire in the top of the fifth. Freshman center fielder Ella Edgmon got Tech started with a leadoff single, setting up back-to-back RBI doubles from Kauf and Awald to even the tally at two apiece. Four singles directly followed, starting with Minghini’s go-ahead swat. Senior right fielder Kennedy Cowden and sophomore third baseman Mallorie Black laced the next pair before Sileo sent in the final run of the inning to increase Tech’s lead to 4-2.
The White and Gold tacked on two more runs in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with a leadoff single by Dupree and a couple of subsequent walks. Minghini stepped back in and drove home two more with a single down the first-base line, pushing the Yellow Jackets further ahead, 6-2.
Wisconsin trimmed Tech’s lead in the bottom of the frame, drawing within two on an RBI single and sac fly. The Badgers continued to rally in their final opportunity at the dish, squaring things up at six all on an RBI double and a wild pitch.
Despite a loaded base path and two outs, freshman hurler Sophia Voyles nearly worked the Jackets out of the jam in relief to send the game to extras. The Dalton, Ga., native dealt a strikeout and forced an infield fly, but a walk shortly after would force home the winning run in favor of Wisconsin, who came out on top, 7-6.
Game Notes
- Kauf hammered her 25th double of the season as she finishes ranked second in program history in single season doubles.
- Awald’s two walks moved her into a tie for second in Georgia Tech history in single season walks with 52 alongside Amy Hosier (2006).
- Awald finalized her top marks in program history in both career walks and career doubles, knocking her 57th collegiate double and drawing 169 career walks to set the standard for future Yellow Jackets.
- Tech is now 6-5 as a two seed in Regional play all time.
- The White and Gold have won 20 games across all Regional appearances, including three in Gainesville Regionals.
- Georgia Tech won 22 of its last 31 games, including 13 of its last 20.
- The Yellow Jackets conclude their best season by record since 2011 at 38-18 overall.
Georgia Tech’s historic season comes to a close after its first NCAA Regional appearance in a decade. The Yellow Jackets also claimed their first win in an NCAA Regional since 2012 while earning three all-ACC recognitions and two all-region honors from the NFCA.
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