March 8, 2017
THE FLATS – Despite blasting two home runs, the Georgia Tech softball team (6-14) fell, 7-3, to Michigan State (13-4) on Wednesday evening at Mewborn Field.
How It Happened
The Jackets had an opportunity to strike first in the second inning as Kendall Chadwick and Draven Sonnon walked, then Kaylee Ellebracht was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out, however Tech was unable to capitalize on the situation.
Michigan State scored four runs through the third and fourth innings thanks to a pair of two-run home runs.
The Yellow Jackets got on the board in the fifth inning when freshman Rebecca Prairie stepped to the plate in a pinch hit appearance and rocked her first career home run to left field.
Michigan State tacked on a run in the sixth to make it 5-1. Tech got a run back in the bottom of the same frame thanks to a long ball way over the left field wall from Katie Krzus.
The Spartans plated a pair of runs in the seventh to extend their lead to 7-2. The Jackets scored a run in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an RBI-single from Krzus to score Kelsey Chisholm, but Tech couldn’t keep the rally alive to overcome the deficit.
Reliever Brooke Barfield (2-6) suffered the loss, throwing 1.1 innings with four runs, three earned, on two hits. Michigan State’s Bridgette Rainey (6-3) earned the win after pitching six innings with two runs on three hits and giving up five walks.
Quote
“We are continuing to have opportunities and we’re not making the most of them,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “You can’t leave bases loaded. It’s not on one person, but someone has got to step up. We have to keep working and we have to be better executing in those situations.”
Quick Hits
– Katie Krzus led the Jackets with two hits, two RBI and a home run
– Jessica Kowalewicz singled
– Draven Sonnon drew three of Tech’s six walks in the game – Tech entered the game second in the ACC in walks
– Prairie recorded her first career home run and Tech has 19 home runs through 20 games this season
– Ellebracht and Chadwick connected at first to pick off a runner in the sixth
Next Up
The Yellow Jackets continue ACC action and their nine-game home stand with a three-game series against Notre Dame. The Jackets and Irish face off in a doubleheader on Saturday at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sunday at 12 p.m. All three games will be on the ACC Network Extra.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GaTechSoftball), Instagram (@GaTechSoftball), Facebook (Georgia Tech Softball) or by visiting www.ramblinwreck.com.
