February 22, 2019

McCann’s Homer Upends No. 3 UCLA in Extras

Junior Kyle McCann’s 11th-inning home run gives Georgia Tech series lead

Final Box (.pdf) | Final Box (.html)

THE FLATS – Catcher Kyle McCann launched a 1-1 ball deep into center field, hitting the top of the batter’s eye to give 19th-ranked Georgia Tech baseball the walk-off 4-3 victory over No. 3 UCLA on Friday night at Russ Chandler Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets (3-1) walked off an opponent for the second-straight game in the 11th inning, just six days after doing the same to West Virginia. The Bruins (4-1) faltered for the first time this season, having not allowed a single earned run entering the weekend.

Outside of McCann’s homer, Georgia Tech was led at the plate by Austin Wilhite and Chase Murray, who both strung together two-hit days. Wilhite finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI while Murray also notching 2-for-4. Second baseman Luke Waddell finally broke through at the plate, launching a solo shot over the right field fence to retake the lead for Tech 3-2 in the fifth.

UCLA was led offensively by Garrett Mitchell, who finished with a 3-for-5 outing, while Matt McLain also had a multi-hit day at 2-for-5 and Jack Stronach had an RBI.

Both teams displayed elite pitching on Friday night, dueling back and forth for the entire 11-inning game. Tech had four pitchers go on the night with Xzavion Curry getting the fine start, going 5.0 innings, four strikeouts while only allowing five hits and one earned run. It then got big relief pitches out of Jonathan Hughes, who went 2.2 scoreless with two strikeouts and just one hit.

Junior Tristin English (1-0) once again played closer for the Jackets, pitching the final 3.0 innings, striking out two and allowing two hits. Of his 29 total pitches, 21 were strikes.

The Bruins used just two pitchers on the evening, as Zach Pettway went 7.0 innings, allowing five hits, three runs and a walk while punching out five batters. In relief for UCLA was Kyle Mora (0-1), who pitched the final 3.0, allowing a run and two hits, but striking out six.

The Yellow Jackets return for game two against third-ranked UCLA on Saturday at Russ Chandler Stadium. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.

Postgame Notes

Tech scored the first earned run against UCLA in 2019 when Austin Wilhite sliced an RBI single to right field to plate Tristin English in the bottom of the second.
Leadoff hitter and second basemen Luke Waddell had his second hit of the season, a home run to right field in the fifth. Both of Waddell’s hits this season have been for extra bases.
Kyle McCann’s walk-off bomb was his third home run of the season through four games.
Starting pitcher Xzavion Curry had two looking strikeouts on the night, giving him 66 for his career and moving him into tied for fourth at Georgia Tech since 2002 – ties Brandon Cumpton (2008-10).

Multimedia

Kyle McCann’s walk-off home run in the 11th inning

"Deep to right-center field!" – @wiley_ballard on Kyle McCann's walk-off home run in the 11th inning #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/I18zk7qOma
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) February 23, 2019

Austin Wilhite’s diving stop at shortstop to end the 11th inning

Can't do it without 🔒⬇ defense. Austin Wilhite's #SCtop10 stop at short to end the top of the 11th 💪 pic.twitter.com/dzRO5JSPwX
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) February 23, 2019

Head Coach Danny Hall Postgame Interview

Catcher Kyle McCann Postgame Interview

🔊 Kyle McCann after his #SCtop10 walk-off home run over No. 3/7 UCLA in extra innings pic.twitter.com/FPWM959W3I
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) February 23, 2019

First baseman/Right-handed Pitcher Tristin English Postgame Interview