Feb. 10, 2008
PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. – Senior Whitney Humphreys tossed a five-hit shutout with nine strikeouts as the No. 17/18 Georgia Tech Softball Team (1-2) defeated Tennessee-Martin 2-0 this morning in the final game of pool play at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic. Freshman Jessica Weaver hit her third home run in as many games this season, a solo shot in the fourth inning that gave Tech all the offense it would need.
After the first two innings, the game was shaping up to be a pitcher’s duel between Tech’s Whitney Humphreys and Paij Lintz of UT-Martin. Humphreys allowed an infield single in the second inning, but used a pair of strikeouts to keep the Skyhawks off the scoreboard. Tech had a base runner in each of the first two frames, but could not get past first base.
Ut-Martin nearly broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fourth, but Tech centerfielder recorded her third outfield assist in as many games. Savannah Roberts got hit by a pitch with two outs and then pinch runner Ashley Byrd stole second base. Megan Van Arsdale singled up the middle and Roberts tried to score, but a charging Butler in centerfield threw a perfect strike home and Tech catcher Jessica Weaver blocked the plate and applied the tag.
In the bottom of the inning, Weaver continued her impressive weekend as she hit a two-out, solo home run over the fence in left field giving the Jackets a 1-0 lead. The round-tripper was Weaver’s third in as many games and was also the first hit of the game for the Yellow Jackets.
UT-Martin mounted a threat in the top of the fifth inning. A leadoff single and stolen base two batters later gave the Skyhawks the tying run in scoring position with just one out, but Humphreys came back to record back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning.
The Yellow Jackets added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning. Brittany Barnes pinch hit to lead off the inning and singled up the middle. She was sacrificed to second base Blair Shimandle and then pinch hitter Savannah Brown walked. Barnes, who moved to third base on a wild pitch, scored on a single to left field by Aileen Morales that gave Tech a 2-0 lead.
Humphreys (1-0) finished strong and recorded her eighth career shutout in her first start of 2008. She scattered five singles and one walk while striking out nine.
The Jackets will now play in the consolation game of the Georgia State First Pitch Classic today at 2:30 p.m. Tech’s opponent will not be known until the completion of the second game today between Georgia State and Lipscomb. Live stats will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com via the Gametracker link.
