RALEIGH, N.C. (Apr. 2) – Georgia Tech used four unearned runs on Sunday afternoon to defeat NC State, 4-3, and sweep the three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series in Raleigh.
The sweep was the Jackets’ first on the road in league play since 1997.
Tech (23-8, 7-2 ACC) scored their first unearned run on an RBI single by Derik Goffena in the top of the first, to build a 1-0 lead. NC State answered back an inning later on an RBI ground out by Jeremy Dutton.
The Wolfpack (17-14, 5-7 ACC) took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on a two-run double by Josh Schmitt. Tech struck back with a pair in the top of the fifth, following an error by NC State shortstop Chris Goodman, tying the score at 3-3.
A sacrifice fly by Goffena in the top of the seventh, gave the Jackets a 4-3 lead.
Sophomore right-hander Steve Kelly (3-1) went eight innings for the Jackets, allowing just three runs, two earned, and nine hits, while striking out nine and walking one. Kelly’s eight-inning stint was the longest of his career.
Jeff Watchko pitched a scoreless ninth to record his third save of the season, and second in as many days.
With a single in the second inning, sophomore second baseman Richard Lewis extended his hitting streak to 21 games.
Georgia Tech returns to action on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the first game of a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series against Maryland at Shipley Field in College Park, Md.
