BLACKSBURG, Va. β Lights out pitching and red-hot hitting powered No. 20 Georgia Tech baseball past No. 12 Virginia Tech, 11-4, on Sunday afternoon to take the series at English Field.
The Yellow Jackets (17-14, 14-10 ACC) used a steadfast first-career start from LHP Dalton Smith that went four innings, before turning to RHP Zach Maxwell (1-1), who shoved seven strikeouts in 3.0 innings and allowed just two hits and an unearned run. Entering with a two-run lead, Tech then turned to true freshman RHP Marquis Grissom, Jr., who punched out three batters and allowed just one hit to slam the door and earn his first-career save.
The bats were no worse for wear either, amassing double-digit runs for the second time in the series. True freshman Jake DeLeo became the first Yellow Jacket since 2019 to record five hits in the game, going 5-for-5 for three RBI and scoring twice himself. Joining the multi-hit effort was Tres Gonzalez, who finished with two RBI as well, Kevin Parada (two hits) and Austin Wilhite, who had two doubles, including a key RBI in the seventh to tie the game at 4-4.
For the Hokies (20-12, 15-9 ACC), Gavin Cross led at the plate with two hits and an RBI. On the mound, RHP Jaison Heard (3-2) received the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits in 0.1 inning of work.
Georgia Tech now returns to Atlanta, where it will head to face crosstown foe Georgia State on Tuesday, April 20 in Panthersville. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on WREK 91.1 FM.
Postgame Notes:
- Georgia Tech baseball recorded eight hits with two outs on the day;
- Georgia Tech remains undefeated in series against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg;
- Jake DeLeo becomes the first Yellow Jacket with five hits in a game since Wade Bailey hit five in May 2017 against Virginia;
- Dalton Smith went a career-long 4.0 innings in his first-career start (prev. 3.1 at Georgia Southern, 2020);
- Zach Maxwell struck out a career-high in relief with seven in 3.0 innings (career high in starts: 8 in 5.0 IP vs. Ohio State, 2020).
Multimedia:
Head Coach Danny Hall Postgame Interview
Around Social Media
BIG strikeout from Dalton Smith to end the inning! pic.twitter.com/3KUrAieOfN
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 18, 2021
JAKE DELEO π£! His second home run of the season give the Jackets the early lead! pic.twitter.com/v03iTxDqeF
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 18, 2021
JUSTYN-HENRY MALLOY!! 2-run SHOT to left and the Jackets pull within one! pic.twitter.com/ReIeWnk1jq
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 18, 2021
ZACH MAXWELL with the π₯π₯π₯ strikes out the side! pic.twitter.com/OQ2QOP4sZt
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 18, 2021
AUSTIN WILHITE! Double down the right field line brings in DeLeo!
TIE GAME! pic.twitter.com/LKGQOVFrUt
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 18, 2021
JACKETS LEAD! Tres Gonzalez fires one to center field to bring home Wilhite! pic.twitter.com/SYPz2mCV5R
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 18, 2021
GOT 'EM!! π₯π₯π₯
Zach Maxwell has struck out six of the last seven!! pic.twitter.com/S1paT2RJ91
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 18, 2021
JAKE DELEO HAVE A DAY!! 4-for-4 with this MISSILE RBI to center!!
Reid π¨π¨π¨ pic.twitter.com/zPlokXaqH5
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 18, 2021
No. Chance.
GRISSOM with two-straight K's to end the inning πͺ pic.twitter.com/ANE9ERR11T
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) April 18, 2021
Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech - Game 2
Photos courtesy of Virginia Tech
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