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Jackets Hammer Bucs in Doubleheader

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball (14-2) outmatched ETSU in a pair of mercy rule victories, dominating the Bucs 10-0 in game one and 13-1 in game two on Saturday at Mewborn Field. Through both five-inning triumphs, the White and Gold outscored ETSU 23-1 in totality, not allowing a run until the top of the fifth of the second game.

Junior infielder Caroline Davis had a career day as she led the Yellow Jackets at the dish going 4-for-6 with two homeruns, a double, two RBI and four runs scored. Five total Jackets batted above .500 through both contests.

From the circle, Tech pitched by committee as senior right hander Lexi Ray earned her second career win and first of the season while freshman slinger Sophia Voyles picked up her first collegiate win. Both starters allowed no runs on one hit as Voyles tallied six strikeouts in just four innings of work.

Game One: Davis got the Jacket bats going in the bottom of the second, sending a solo shot over left field for her first home run of the season. Two hit batters followed by a pair of walks then moved home sophomore shortstop Jin Sileo, increasing the Tech lead to 2-0. The White and Gold exploded at the plate in the next inning, driving in seven more runs. Three consecutive doubles driven to the same location resulted in three runs as Davis hammered another ball to left center, setting up a two-RBI drive by Sileo and one more shot to no man’s land for yet another RBI and a 5-0 Tech lead. A bunt single then moved runners to the corners, allowing a subsequent single by junior catcher Emma Kauf to score one more. Sophomore third baseman Mallorie Black took it upon herself to clear the bases at that point, roping a three-run blast over left center to increase the Jacket lead to 9-0. Davis put an exclamation mark on the soon to be victory in the bottom of the fourth with yet another solo blast, equaling her career total with two home runs on the day. Freshman pitcher Kinsey Norton then closed things out from the circle to secure Tech’s 10-0 win by mercy rule in five innings.

Game Two: The Yellow Jackets got rolling early, scoring five in the bottom of the first. Following a pair of walks, senior outfielder Ariella Jackson put Tech on the board with an RBI single. Two more walks came shortly after as the Jackets loaded the bases, plating one more run to move ahead 2-0. Sophomore catcher Sandra Beth Pritchett then cleared the bases with a single that scored three more, giving the Jackets a 5-0 lead after one. Tech furthered its momentum into the bottom of the next frame as another three runs followed. Senior infielder Bailee Zeitler first capitalized on an opening single and a walk with an RBI double. Another walk loaded the bases, allowing a sacrifice fly to score Davis and a passed ball to send home one more run as the White and Gold led 8-0 after two. The Yellow Jackets put the game out of reach in the bottom of the fourth with yet another five-run half inning. The bases were loaded on a leadoff single by Zeitler, a hit batter and a walk, allowing another walk to force home a run. Senior first baseman Tricia Awald then pulled off an unofficial inside-the-park grand slam, moving Tech ahead 13-0. ETSU (4-9) would salvage one run on a wild pitch in the final frame, but senior hurler Palmer Pinholster closed out the inning for a 13-1 Yellow Jacket triumph through five innings by mercy rule.

Game Notes

  • Georgia Tech is off to a 14-2 start, the best for the program in 12 years. The 2010 Yellow Jackets started off 20-2 on the way to regular season and ACC tournament titles, making an NCAA regional appearance.
  • Davis’ first homerun was her first of the season. In lacing her second, she matched her career total as she now owns four home runs as a Yellow Jacket.
  • Voyles made her first collegiate start in game two, also earning her first career win while tallying six strikeouts in four innings of work. The Dalton, Ga., native allowed just one hit and no runs, resulting in a .083 batting average against.
  • Ray earned her second career win in game one, also allowing no runs on one hit through three innings pitched.
  • Five Yellow Jackets batted .500 or better through the day, and three finished .667 or better.
  • Along with Davis’ aforementioned stellar day, Zeitler batted a perfect 1.000, going 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI, a walk and three runs scored.
  • Freshman center fielder Ella Edgmon also continues to produce under the radar from the nine hole as she went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
  • Pritchett not only picked up her first collegiate hit, but had a strong outing at the plate through the day going 2-for-4 with a double, a team-leading five RBI, a walk and a run scored for career highs across the board.
  • Sileo also had a productive day at the dish, reaching base in all but one appearance as she went 1-for 2 with a double, three RBI, two walks, three runs scored and a pair of stolen bases.

Up Next

Georgia Tech will wrap up the I-75 Tournament, hosting Jacksonville State at 4 p.m. at Mewborn Field. The game will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.

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The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.   

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