March 15, 2014
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Georgia Tech softball team (17-6, 6-4 ACC) defeated the Maryland Terrapins (1-21, 0-2) Saturday, 7-4 and 4-1, at the Maryland Softball Stadium. The Jackets go for the series sweep Sunday at 1 p.m.
Sophomore Maddie Lionberger went 3-for-5 with a run, two triples and four RBI to lead Georgia Tech. Senior Ashley Thomas went 3-for-6 with two runs and an RBI, while Alysha Rudnik was 2-for-5 with three RBI.
“We had a good day. We have some improvements to make overall,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “As a team, we picked each other up. Maddie was seeing the ball really well and she made adjustments and that was the big thing. As well as Karly Fullem who saw the ball really well. I’m happy to see her improvement.
“Ashley Thomas led us off both games, got a hit in the first at bat of each game and scored the first runs of each game. That’s pretty neat. Overall pitching wise we have to make some improvements for tomorrow, but I think they were good team wins today.”
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Game 1: Georgia Tech 7, Maryland 4
The Jackets used 10 hits and seven different runners crossed the plate for Tech, as the Jackets scored in every inning but two en route to a 7-4 game one victory against Maryland.
Lionberger hit triples in back-to-back at bats, going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run. Rudnik was 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBI.
The Jackets scored one run in each of the first three innings and tallied a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
Up 3-1 in the top of the fifth, Lionberger blasted her second triple of the season and scored on a sacrifice fly from Ashley Thomas in the ensuing at bat. Rudnik capped off the inning with a two-out solo shot to deep right center, giving Tech a 5-1 lead. The long ball marked Rudnik’s sixth home run of the season.
Maryland put up two runs in the bottom of the same frame and cut Tech’ lead down by two runs, 5-3.
In the sixth inning, Karly Fullem doubled and Colleen Darragh drew a walk. With two outs and two runners on, Lionberger smacked her second triple of the game to give the Jackets a 7-3 advantage.
Kylie Kleinschmidt (11-3) earned the win, surrendering four runs on nine hits in a complete-game effort. Kaitlyn Schmeiser (1-6) suffered the loss with four runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings of work.
Game 2: Georgia Tech 4, Maryland 1
Ashley Thomas kicked off the second game with a single, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. She scored on a sacrifice fly from Kanani Cabrales.
The Jackets added three runs in the fourth inning as Tech sent all nine batters to the plate. Cabrales and Fullem started the inning with back-to-back singles, and Darragh drew a walk to load the bases.
The next two batters lined out to second and Lionberger stepped to the plate with bases loaded and two outs. She roped a two-RBI single to left center, scoring Cabrales and pinch runner Alexis Jones. Darragh scored on a single from Hayley Downs to give Tech a 4-0 lead
Cabrales held Maryland scoreless until the Terrapins got on the board in the bottom of the fifth to avoid the shutout.
Cabrales (6-3) earned the win allowing one unearned run on nine hits in a complete-game effort.
Brenna Nation (0-9) absorbed the loss with four runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings pitched.
