THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball (19-19, 3-11 ACC) split its doubleheader with Boston College (18-18, 2-9 ACC) on Friday at Mewborn Field. Senior hurler Blake Neleman nearly dealt her second career no-hitter on the way to a 5-1 victory for the Yellow Jackets in game one, but the Eagles rallied late to steal game two, 4-3.
Neleman (6-8) came just two outs shy of becoming the fourth Jacket ever to throw multiple solo no-hitters and the third to do so through appearances of seven or more innings. Receiving the win in game one, the Marietta, Ga., native tossed a complete game, racking up nine strikeouts as she allowed no earned runs on just one hit.
At the dish, junior first baseman Abby Hughes led the Yellow Jackets through the day, going 2-for-3 with her fourth career home run, a pair of RBI and a couple of walks. Two more donning the White and Gold went yard on the day as senior catcher Emma Kauf barreled her fifth of the season and 27th on The Flats while junior third baseman Mallorie Black launched her seventh of the year and 10th of her career. Kauf led the squad in game one, going 2-for-3, while Black mirrored that line in game two.
Senior right hander Chandler Dennis had a solid day of her own in the circle in game two, earning the start and allowing just one run in five innings of work.
Georgia Tech vs. Boston College
April 7, 2023 (Tyler Rover)
Game One
In a low-scoring affair early, Boston College moved ahead in the second, scoring on an error to take a 1-0 lead. Following two scoreless innings, Georgia Tech responded in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run dinger by Kauf to take the lead, 2-1. An inning later, another powerful swing added security for the Yellow Jackets as Hughes roped another two-run bomb for her fourth round-tripper of the season and her career. Later that inning, the White and Gold loaded the bases, forcing another run home on a subsequent walk for a 5-1 advantage. Heading into the seventh with her no-hitter still intact, Neleman picked up an out, but surrendered a seeing-eye single before closing out the remainder of the inning to secure a 5-1 victory for the Yellow Jackets.
Game Two
Georgia Tech jumped on top first in the second contest of the afternoon, using a two-RBI single off the bat of sophomore second baseman Grace Connelly to move in front in the bottom of the third. Boston College sliced the narrow lead in half in the fourth with a solo shot, but Black neutralized the run with a solo blast of her own to put the Jackets back ahead by a pair after five, 3-1. In the sixth, the Eagles strung together a series of hits, rallying in front. A two-RBI double and a single to drive in the go-ahead run turned the tables, putting Boston College on top, 4-3. Tech came up empty in its final two opportunities at the plate, allowing the Eagles to even the series and hand sophomore righty Sophia Voyles (2-5) the loss.
Up Next
Georgia Tech will wrap up the series with Boston College, hosting the rubber match on Sunday at noon at Mewborn Field. The game will be broadcast live on ACC Network.
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