March 14, 2012
ATLANTA – A throwing error to first by Gracie Goulder allowed Chelsie Thomasto score the game winning run, from first, as the Georgia Tech softball team earned its first victory over No. 8 Georgia since April 9, 2008 in front of a crowd of 1,136 Wednesday night at Mewborn Field.
With the victory, Tech improved to 16-12 on the season and handed eighth-ranked Georgia its fourth loss of the year (21-4).
Hope Rushearned her 10th victory in 2012 pitching all seven innings, allowing just two hits and striking out three in the shutout. Morgan Montemayor earned the loss for Georgia as she dropped to 8-3.
Thomas, who also had Tech’s only hit of the game, led off the sixth inning with a walk. In the next at bat, with a 3-1 count, Ashley Thomaslaid down a surprise bunt. Rushing her throw, Goulder let it tail a little and as Thomas crossed the base, the contact with second baseman Ashley Pauly’s glove caused the ball to roll away into right field.
“I think the best part of it was, as a team, the slappers worked on bunting yesterday,” said head coach Sharon Perkins.” That was a goal of ours, let’s do the little things. Ashley and Chelsie both worked the count and Ashley laid down a great bunt, and when you put the ball in play, great things happen. Chelsie has unreal speed and we call her spider monkey for a reason, I don’t even know if she was touching the ground.”
Chelsie Thomas’ heads up play, coupled with her speed, brought her home all the way from first to score the first and game winning run. On the throw home, Ashley Thomas moved over to second base. She advanced to third on a ground out to second by Kate Kuzma and came home on a ground out to second by Alysha Rudnikfor the insurance run giving Tech a 2-0 lead.
With just three outs to go, Georgia was unable to get anything going and the Jackets hung on for the victory.
“I am excited to get things back on track as a team and to be healthy again,” said Perkins. “We just have a great time playing at night and are excited for another night game tomorrow.
Keep up to date with the Georgia Tech Softball team all season long at www.RamblinWreck.com as well as twitter.com/GaTechSoftball and facebook.com/GTSoftball
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