Feb. 20, 2002
ATLANTA – Led by two home runs and five runs batted in from sophomore shortstop Tara Knudsen, the Georgia Tech softball team (7-1, 0-0 ACC) added to its best start since 1991 with a doubleheader sweep of Georgia State Wednesday at Glenn Field. Tech took game one, 5-3, and won the second, 5-2.
Knudsen got the scoring started in the game one by homering to right center in the first inning, scoring freshman Kirin Kumar, who had walked. Junior catcher Lindsay Wood then followed with a homer of her own to make the score 3-0.
In her next plate appearance, Knudsen led off the third inning with a deep shot to left center, making the count 4-0.
Georgia State made things interesting in the sixth, by scoring three runs. The key hit was a two-run double by left fielder Cindy Gillies.
Tech plated an insurance run in the sixth, as junior Mimi Utt doubled to lead off the frame. Junior Tara Neff, who entered to pinch run for Utt, advanced to third on a single by right fielder Soraya Reddick and later scored on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Jamie Frost.
Junior Tiffany Goodman (2-0) picked up the win for the Jackets, allowing two earned runs on six hits in five innings. Sophomore Erin Voeltz (1-1) tossed the final two frames to earn her second save. Starter Andrea McNary (2-3) took the loss for Georgia State.
Knudsen and Utt were both 2-for-3 in the contest.
In game two, Georgia State center fielder Cheryl Bodziony homered off Tech starter Jessica Sallinger in the first to give the Panthers an early 1-0 lead, but the Jackets responded in the third to even the score.
Sophomore Sara Wissmann led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Katie Donovan. Wissmann moved up to third on a single by second baseman Felicia Coursey and later scored when Neff reached on a fielder’s choice.
After Georgia State regained the lead in the fourth, Coursey led off the Yellow Jacket fifth with her first home run of the season, tying the score, 2-2.
Tech put the game away with three runs in the sixth. After Georgia State reliever Corrie Roberts walked the bases loaded, McNary entered the game and walked Neff to give the Jackets a 3-2 lead. Knudsen then singled to drive in Coursey and Donovan.
Sallinger (4-0) went seven innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits and three walks. She also fanned seven. Roberts (0-1) took the loss for the Panthers.
Knudsen went 2-for-4, raising her ACC-leading batting average to .577. She also has three home runs and 14 RBI on the season. Coursey went 2-for-3 in game two.
Tech returns to action Friday when it takes on Rutgers at 1 p.m. and Florida Atlantic at 5 p.m. in the FAU Worth Invitational in Boca Raton, Fla.
-GT-
