CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (April 1) – Shortstop Richard Lewis went 4-for-6 with two RBI and Georgia Tech (23-7, 6-3 ACC) used a nine-run fourth inning as the third-ranked Yellow Jackets defeated Virginia (17-12, 5-7 ACC), 13-9, on a cool and rainy April 1 at UVA Baseball Field.
Tech’s Kevin Cameron (4-1) picked up the win after striking out a career-high 10 batters. Cameron allowed six runs, four of which were earned, on seven hits in five-plus innings of work.
Reliever Andy Mitchell picked up his second save of the season by tossing 3.2 perfect innings to close out the game while tying his career high with five strikeouts.
Virginia starter Canon Hickman (2-3) took the loss in an unscheduled start in the place of injured Dan Street. Hickman allowed 11 runs on 11 hits in four innings of work.
Tech took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Jason Basil walked and Matt Murton singled before a two-run double from Brad Stockton drove in both runners.
The Cavaliers tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of that inning when Chris Sweet delivered a RBI single and David Stone drew a bases loaded walk. Virginia took a 3-2 lead in the third inning when Hunter Wyant singled, stole second base and came around to score on shortstop Richard Lewis’ throwing error.
The Yellow Jackets broke the game open in the fourth inning with nine runs on eight hits to take an 11-3 lead. Tech sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning, which was highlighted by RBI singles from Lewis, Basil, Murton, Brad Stockton and Bryan Prince.
Tech pushed the lead to 13-3 with two more runs in the top of the fifth with a RBI triple from Lewis and a run scoring single from Menocal.
Virginia mounted a comeback with six runs in the sixth inning to make the score 13-9. The inning was highlighted by a RBI double from Doug Vroman, and RBI singles from Wyant and Robert Word. But Tech’s Mitchell came on to close the door and preserve the Yellow Jacket victory.
All nine Tech starters had at least one hit in the victory, led by Lewis’ four hit performance. Prince and Murton each had three hits while Stockton added two hits and three RBI.
Georgia Tech will host Georgia State on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Russ Chandler Stadium.
