May 24, 2007
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Brandon Guyer’s RBI single in the top of the eighth inning helped third-seeded Virginia (43-13) to a 4-1 win over No. 7 Georgia Tech (32-24) Thursday afternoon in the fifth game of the 2007 ACC Tournament. With the win, the Yellow Jackets move to 1-1 in the postseason, while Virginia improved to 2-0.
Brandon Marsh led off the eighth with a single off Tech reliever Jared Hyatt, stole second base, moved to third on a groundout by Sean Doolittle, and scored on Guyer’s second hit of the game to break a 1-1 tie. The Cavaliers then added a pair of runs in the top of the ninth for the final three run margin.
Hyatt (8-1) took his first loss of the season and suffered just the third loss of his five-year career on the Flats, giving up one run on six hits while striking out one.
Jake Rule (6-4) picked up the win by tossing 2.1 innings in relief. He held the Jackets scoreless while giving up just one hit and striking out three.
Virginia took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Brandon Marsh reached on a leadoff double, moved to third on a single by Guyer and scored on a sacrifice fly by David Adams.
Georgia Tech cracked the scoreboard in the fifth inning to tie the game at 1-1 on an RBI single by Tony Plagman. After Cavalier starter Doolittle retired 11-straight batters following a leadoff walk to Danny Payne in the first inning, Wally Crancer led off the fifth inning with a single to centerfield, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Luke Murton, and scored on Plagman’s two-out hit.
Both starting pitchers pitched well, but neither figured into the decision. Tech’s Eddie Burns held the Cavs to one run on five hits with striking out five and walking one, while UVa’s Doolittle went 5.1 innings, giving up one run on four hits and three walks while striking out eight.
The Yellow Jackets wrap up bracket play in the ACC Tournament Saturday with a 10 a.m. game against NC State. The Wolfpack lost to the Cavaliers Wednesday and play the North Carolina Tar Heels Thursday evening. SportSouth and Comcast SportsNet will air the game between Tech and NC State Saturday morning, while WREK-Radio (91.1 FM in Atlanta / www.wrek.org) will broadcast the contest. Live stats for all Georgia Tech baseball games can be found at www.ramblinwreck.com.
