March 28, 2010
ATLANTA – Freshman Hope Rush recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts as the No. 11/8 Georgia Tech Softball team (29-5, 5-1 ACC) beat Maryland 1-0 Sunday morning to complete the series sweep at Mewborn Field. The game was moved up four hours from its original start time with the forecast of rain in the afternoon and Tech took advantage of an unearned run in the first inning for the win.
Rush (16-3) scattered six hits and walked two en route to her sixth shutout of the season. Kerry Hickey (11-5) took the loss despite allowing just three Georgia Tech hits. She walked four and struck out four.
The Yellow Jackets scored the only run of the game in the first inning courtesy of a Maryland error. Redshirt senior Jen Yee was intentionally walked to begin the frame, the seventh time that happened this weekend. She went to second base on a single by sophomore Kate Kuzma and then took third on a ground out by sophomore Kelsi Weseman. After freshman Caitlin Jordan struck out, junior Kristine Priebe reached on an error with runners at the corners and two outs allowing Yee to score what turned out to be the game’s only run.
Rush worked out of several jams in the game, but the Terps’ best scoring chance came in the third and fourth innings. In the third, a double and an infield single put Maryland runners at first and second with no outs. Rush was able to quickly escape though with a strike out and double-play ball to Yee at second base.
In the fourth inning, Maryland loaded the bases with two outs but Rush struck out Vangie Galindo to end the threat.
The top of the seventh inning saw Maryland put two on with two outs, but Rush got Hickey to line out softly to Weseman at shortstop on the first pitch and end the game.
Georgia Tech continues its 10-game homestand by hosting Virginia Tech in a three-game series, April 2-3, at Mewborn Field. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday, April 2 beginning at 5 p.m. and then close out the series with a single game Saturday, April 3 at 1 p.m. Live video, audio and stats will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
