April 24, 2013
THE FLATS – Kennesaw State scored three runs in the seventh inning to come back from an 8-6 deficit and defeat Georgia Tech, 9-8, Wednesday night at Mewborn Field. The Jackets (22-27) out-hit the Owls (31-17) by a 13-11 margin in the loss and Tech is 20-3 when out-hitting its opponents.
Down by two in the seventh inning, Kennesaw State strung together four hits for three runs and limited the Jackets to one base runner in the bottom of the inning to pick up the victory.
Georgia Tech rallied for the lead twice in the back-and-forth ballgame, after three runs over the first and second innings, including a two-run homer by Sharon Swanson, gave the Owls a 3-0 lead.
Tech got those three runs back over three innings. Tech plated a run in the second on an RBI-single from Karly Fullem, and two runs in the fourth as Chelsie Thomas scored on a Hayley Downs ground out and Ashley Thomas scored on a double courtesy of Alysha Rudnik.
Ashley Thomas went 1-for-2 with two runs and three walks in the contest. She was 2-for-2 on stolen bases and continues to lead the team and ACC with 33 stolen bases on the season.
Kennesaw State stole the lead, 6-3, with a three-run homer from Kaylee Williams in the fifth, but a five-spot by Georgia Tech in the sixth swung the lead back to the Jackets.
Courtney Ziese hit her seventh homer on the year to score Katie Johnsky, who singled to right field to reach base. With two on and two outs, Ashley Thomas reached base on a Kennesaw State error that allowed pinch runner Kaitlin Kates to score, and a throwing error by the Owls’ third baseman allowed Chelsie Thomas and Ashley Thomas to score.
Georgia Tech had opportunities to put more runs on the board, leaving a season-high 15 runners on base and the bases loaded on three occasions.
Kylie Kleinschmidt (5-6) pitched three innings of relief for Tech starter Hope Rush and allowed six runs on seven hits.
The Owls used five pitchers in the victory with Abbey Mixon (12-9) earning the win. Mixon pitched the final 1.1 innings and held the Jackets scoreless on two hits.
The Jackets are back in ACC play this weekend with their final home series of the season against No. 22 Florida State. Action begins at 1 p.m. Saturday and all three games will be on ESPN3. Tech will recognize its two seniors in Kelly Delashmit and Hope Rush before the first pitch Saturday.
