May 13, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Senior Amy Hosier hit the game-winning two run home run in the top of the fifth inning and freshman Lacey Richardson tallied her fourth save of the season, tossing 3.0 scoreless innings, to lead No. 4 seed Georgia Tech (46-19) past No. 5 seed Florida State (40-26), 4-3, at the Atlantic Coast Conference Softball Tournament on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets and Seminoles will play another game at 7:30 p.m. for the right to advance to the ACC Championship game on Sunday.
Hosier finished the game 2-for-4, with two runs batted in and a home run (9). Richardson allowed two hits in the circle, striking out three. Sophomore Sarah Wood (19-7) worked 4.0 innings, scattering four hits, three runs, three earned runs and fanned two.
Senior Christine Sheridan went 1-for-2 for the Jackets, with two walks and one run scored. Junior Caitlin Lever also went 1-for-2, with a walk, stolen base and run scored to pace the Jackets offensively.
The Yellow Jackets started the game in the top of the first inning with a pair of singles by Hosier and freshman Whitney Haller, preceded by a leadoff walk by Sheridan to load the bases with no outs. After a pop out to the shortstop, junior Daisy Paez grounded out to short to drive in a run. With two outs, sophomore Aileen Morales lined one to the hole between second and first, but FSU’s Veronica Wootson made a diving stab to end the inning with Tech on top 1-0.
With one out in the bottom of the second inning, the Seminoles loaded the bases with a walk and consecutive bunt singles. LaShaun Davis was then hit-by-a-pitch to plate the first run of the inning and senior Natasha Jacob doubled off the right field fence to score two more runs and give FSU its first lead of the game 3-1. Wood recorded the second out of the inning on a strikeout and induced a ground out to end the inning.
Lever doubled to left field when the FSU shortstop lost the ball in the sun and then advanced to third on a steal, scoring on a wild throw from the catcher to bring the Jackets within one, 3-2.
Hosier connected on a two-run home run with two outs in the top of the fifth inning, her ninth of the season, to regain the lead for the Jackets, 4-3.
Clinging to a one-run lead in the seventh, the Seminoles put two runners on with infield singles and one out to threaten. Richardson then struck out FSU’s top hitter Jacob for the second out of the inning and recorded a pop out for the final out for the Jackets.
Tech scored four runs, on six hits and committed one error, while the Seminoles scored three runs, on six hits and had one error.
The semifinal game between FSU and Tech can be followed via live webcast at Raycom Sports.
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