April 17, 2002
ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech softball team (39-13, 6-2 ACC) hopes to rebound from its first conference losses of the season Thursday when it steps out of the ACC for a 3 p.m. CT doubleheader with Mississippi State at the MSU Softball Field.
A year ago, the Bulldogs swept a close-matched twin bill from the Jackets in Atlanta, winning 3-2 and 4-1 in 10 innings at Glenn Field. Mississippi State leads the all-time series 4-0.
Sophomore shortstop Tara Knudsen continues to lead the Jackets with a .404 average, 14 home runs and 45 runs batted in. Center fielder Sara Wissmann (.231-2-21) and catcher Lindsay Wood (.263-5-18) also ranks as top run-producers for Tech.
In the circle, the Jackets sport a dynamic pitching tandem in freshman Jessica Sallinger and sophomore Erin Voeltz, who are both hoping to bounce back from losses at Florida State on Saturday. Sallinger is 18-6 with a 1.24 earned run average and 214 strikeouts, while Voeltz in 14-5.
This season, the Bulldogs, who have been ranked as high as No. 22 nationally, stand at 28-21 and 10-10 in the SEC. Last time out, Mississippi State dropped two of three in a weekend series at Auburn. Tech split with the Tigers earlier this season.
Mississippi State has four players hitting over .330 in its lineup, led by Kellie Wilkerson, who is hitting .388 with eight homers and 19 RBI. Iyhia McMichael leads the team with 36 RBI.
Kasey Whitehead tops the Bulldog pitching staff with a 17-9 mark.
-GT-
