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Jackets Undefeated Following Buzz Classic Day Two

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball (4-0) remained perfect on the season with a pair of wins on day two of the Buzz Classic, blowing by Villanova for an 11-0 victory by mercy rule in five innings and subsequently besting Saint Joseph’s 8-5 on Saturday at Mewborn Field.

Graduate senior first baseman Tricia Awald led the way at the dish for the Jackets, going 4-for-5 on the day with a double, four runs scored and six RBI after lacing her third career grand slam while suited up for the White and Gold. Junior pitcher Blake Neleman was Tech’s most dominant pitcher on the day, commanding the circle through five innings for a complete game with six strikeouts and one hit allowed against Villanova.

Game One: The Jackets struck first against Villanova (1-3) as sophomore designated player Sara Beth Allen followed a double by sophomore third baseman Mallorie Black with an RBI single to put Tech on top in the bottom of the first. Allen came through with runners in scoring position once again in the second frame, driving in a pair on a single to center. Awald broke things open in the bottom of the third, belting a grand slam over dead center to give the White and Gold a 7-0 lead. In the fourth, Tech tacked on four more scores to set up its mercy-rule victory. Freshman center fielder Ella Edgmon first capitalized on a pair of runners in scoring position with a two-RBI single. Junior catcher Emma Kauf then cracked an RBI double to left before the bases were loaded, allowing sophomore catcher Sara Beth Allen to walk home Tech’s 11th run. Neleman finished how she started in the next frame, closing out the contest for an 11-0 mercy rule victory in five innings.

Game Two: Georgia Tech rolled into its second contest of the day, jumping on Saint Joseph’s (0-4) early as the first five batters reached base. Kauf led off with a double to left before being brought home on an RBI single by Awald. Black next doubled to center before Allen drew a walk, setting up a two-RBI double by freshman utility player Emma Minghini for a 3-0 Yellow Jacket lead. The Hawks took one back in the top of the third reaching on a fielder’s choice, but Tech regained its three-run advantage after an RBI double by Jin Sileo. Saint Joseph’s rallied in the top of the fourth, scoring three runs on miscues by the White and Gold before an infield single gave the Hawks the lead at 5-4. Following junior Michigan transfer Chandler Dennis and senior Lexi Ray, fellow senior Palmer Pinhoslter took control in the circle for the top half of the final three innings, not allowing another run. At the plate, Sileo scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth to push Tech back in front. An inning later, Allen slapped a ground ball RBI before a Minghini double pushed the run home, later resulting in the final verdict of an 8-5 Yellow Jacket win.

Game Notes

  • With another near flawless performance against Villanova, Neleman is now 2-0 on the season, owning 19 strikeouts to just two hits in 12 innings of work for two complete games.
  • Black had a career day in her own right, going 4-for-5 with three runs scored, a pair of doubles with three runs scored and three walks. Against Saint Joseph’s, Black was a perfect 3-for-3, a career high.
  • Against Villanova, Awald made the most of her opportunities, going 1-for-1 with four RBI and three runs scored.
  • Allen validated her cleanup spot in the lineup against Villanova, coming away with a career high four RBI and three runs scored.
  • Against St. Joseph’s, all three of Tech’s first batters in the order tallied three hits. Awald went 3-for-4 with two RBI while Kauf also batted 3-for-4.
  • On the season, Awald holds the best average at the dish for the Jackets (.667) while Kauf owns the most hits with 15. Minghini retains the team lead in RBI heading into the final day of the Buzz Classic, owning eight.

Up Next

Georgia Tech will wrap up the Buzz Classic, facing Marshall at 1 p.m. Sunday. All games throughout the Buzz Classic will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.

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The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.   

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