June 3, 2016
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Facing a seven-run deficit, Georgia Tech scored six runs in the final four frames, but its comeback fell shot in a 7-6 loss Friday to UConn in the first game of the NCAA Gainesville Regional.
Georgia Tech (36-24) fell behind 7-0 after two innings. Junior starter Zac Ryan (3-4) was dealt the loss, allowing six runs on five hits in 1.2 innings.
Relievers Jake Lee and Matthew Gorst combined to allow one UConn hit in 5.0 scoreless innings to close the game.
Senior OF Matthew Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a home run and a career-high-tying 4 RBI. It was Gonzalez’s 11th home of the season. He now has 297 career hits and is three away from becoming the third player in school history to amass 300 hits.
UConn’s lone run production came in the 2nd inning, while seven of its nine hits came in the game’s first two innings.
THE BASICS
• This weekend marks the 31st NCAA Regional appearance in Georgia Tech history and 20th of the Danny Hall era.
• Georgia Tech is 6-2 all-time vs. UConn, including a 1-1 record in NCAA Regionals.
• Georgia Tech is 69-62 all-time in the NCAA postseason.
• Danny Hall is 53-44 all-time in the NCAA postseason.
• Georgia Tech is 5-7 all-time in NCAA Gainesville Regional games.
• Georgia Tech has allowed 5+ runs in an inning 19 times (17 games) this season. Tech is 3-14 when allowing 5+ runs in an inning.
QUOTEBOARD
“(Today) was a tough way to go. Give my guys credit for hanging in there, battling back and having the winning run on base in 9th. We couldn’t get that next hit to tie (the game) or give us a chance to win it. I thought Jake Lee pitched outstanding to keep us in the game after that 7-run (2nd inning).” – Georgia Tech head coach Danny Hall
HOW IT HAPPENED
• UConn unloaded with a 7-run 2nd inning to take a commanding 7-0 lead. UConn had six hits in the inning, including a pair of 2-RBI hits from Tyler Gnesda and Willy Yahn.
• Matt Gonzalez put Georgia Tech on the board in the 6th with an RBI double to left-center.
• Tech scratched another run in the 7th on Joey Bart’s pinch-hit RBI sacrifice fly to right, cutting the UConn lead to 7-2.
• Gonzalez hit a 2-run home run over the left field bleachers to bring Tech to within three runs, 7-4.
• The #CardiacJackets made it a game in the 9th as Tech scored a pair of runs with two outs. Connor Justus hit an RBI single to left, scoring Brandt Stallings. After a Wade Bailey single, Gonzalez drove in his fourth run of the game with an RBI single to left.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Junior C Arden Pabst threw out his 52nd career baserunner.
• Georgia Tech tied the single-season school record with its 77th double play of the season.
• Georgia Tech is 17-20 when opponents scores first this season.
• Senior OF Matt Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a career-high-tying 4 RBI.
• Gonzalez now has 297 career hits and his three shy of becoming the third player in school history with 300 career hits.
• Gonzalez hit his 11th home run of the season (he had nine career homers entering the season).
• Gonzalez moved past Nomar Garciaparra for 6th on Tech’s career doubles list with his 59th double.
• Freshman RHP Jake Lee struck out a career-high 6 batters in 4.1 innings of scoreless relief.
• Junior RHP Matthew Gorst extended his streak to 19.1 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run.
• Sophomore 3B Trevor Craport extended his hit streak to seven games and his reached safely streak to 11 games.
• Junior SS Connor Justus made his 99th consecutive start Friday.
UP NEXT
• Georgia Tech will face the loser of Florida and Bethune-Cookman at 12 p.m. Saturday on ESPN3 and WREK 91.1 FM.
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