March 24, 2002
MARIETTA, Ga. – The momentum of an exciting last-inning quarterfinal victory over Maryland did not carry to the next game, as the Georgia Tech softball team (27-9, 0-0 ACC) dropped a 7-0 decision to Ohio State in the semifinals of the 2002 Buzz Classic at the Al Bishop Softball Complex, eliminating the Jackets from the tournament. Tech downed the Terps, 2-1, in eight innings.
The Buckeyes defeated North Carolina, 6-3 in eight innings, to win the tournament.
With the score knotted at one against Maryland, the game moved into extra innings. The Terps were unable to score in the top of the eighth, but Jackets’ right fielder Soraya Reddick scored from third as second baseman Felicia Coursey reached on a fielder’s choice, giving Tech a 2-1 win.
The Terps got on the board first, scoring an unearned run in the top of the third. Center fielder Samantha Sweeney walked and swiped second. She moved to third on a single by third baseman Casey Leiter. Leiter then stole second, and Tech catcher Lindsay Wood attempted to pickoff Sweeney at third on the play. The throw was wide of Jackets’ third baseman Jamie Frost, allowing Sweeney to come home and giving Maryland an early lead, 1-0.
Tech equaled the score in the bottom of the fifth on a solo homer to left field by Frost, her second of the year. She also singled in the second, which was Tech’s lone other hit at that point.
The Jackets had a chance to break the game open in the bottom of the sixth but were unable to score after loading the bases with one out.
Due to the international tie breaker rule, Reddick was placed at second to start the eighth inning. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by first baseman Katie Donovan and scored on the Coursey grounder.
Sophomore Erin Voeltz picked up the win, moving to 8-4 on the season. She was stellar over eight innings, allowing no earned runs on four hits. She struck out three and walked three.
Maryland starter Amanda Bettker was also solid, allowing two runs on just three hits, two of which came off the bat of Frost.
In the semifinals, the Buckeyes jumped out early via a first inning, two-run home run by designated player Stacy Roth.
Ohio State tacked on an unearned run in the fourth, extending the lead to 3-0.
With the lead still standing at 3-0, the Buckeyes added four runs in the top of the seventh. The big blow was a two-run homer by third baseman Kristine Himes, which pushed the lead to the final score of 7-0.
OSU starter Katie Chain held the Jackets in check for much of the game, as she allowed just five hits and no runs, while fanning seven.
Tech starter Jessica Sallinger was solid in the loss. She equaled her school record with 13 strikeouts, while allowing eight hits and just two earned runs. She is now 13-4 on the season.
Despite the loss to the Buckeyes, Tech now has 27 wins on the season, the most by the Jackets since 1996.
The Jackets open Atlantic Coast Conference play Tuesday when they host Maryland for a 2 p.m. doubleheader at Glenn Field.
SUNDAY’S RESULTS Quarterfinals Troy State 4, Florida State 2 North Carolina 8, Mercer 1 Ohio State 3, Georgia State 1 Georgia Tech 2, Maryland 1 (8 inn.) Semifinals North Carolina 9, Troy State (5 inn.) Ohio State 7, Georgia Tech 0 Championship Ohio State 6, North Carolina 3 (8 inn.)
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