Tech Blazes Past UAB in Extras, 5-3Tech Blazes Past UAB in Extras, 5-3
Softball

Tech Blazes Past UAB in Extras, 5-3

Pair of late, two-RBI swings propel Jackets over Blazers in eight

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM – Georgia Tech softball (28-12, 8-10 ACC) caught fire late to extinguish UAB (21-16, 9-3 C-USA) in extra innings, 5-3, on Wednesday night at Mary Bowers Field. The Yellow Jackets scored all five of their runs in the final three innings, using a pair of critical, two-RBI swats in the late stages to come away with the win in eight innings.

Senior second baseman Bailee Zeitler led the Jackets at the dish, going 2-for-3 including a vital, two-run, inside-the-park round trip to put the Jackets in position to secure the win in the eighth. Junior catcher Emma Kauf also had a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-4 and matching Zeitler with just as crucial of a two-RBI swing for a double that moved Tech ahead in the top of the seventh.

Junior hurler Blake Neleman got the start in the circle, tossing the bulk of the game and allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts through 6 1/3 innings of work. Fellow junior right hander Chandler Dennis closed out the final 1 2/3 innings, holding UAB hitless and adding a punchout to receive the win.

Softball vs. UAB

Dustin Gunter / UAB Athletics

The Blazers struck early, slipping ahead in the bottom of the first with back-to-back RBI on a single and a double. After four scoreless innings to follow, the Jackets cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth. Graduate first baseman Tricia Awald first hammered a double, allowing freshman pinch runner Madison Dobbins to scamper home on an error and trim UAB’s lead to 2-1.

With the game on the line in the top of the seventh, Georgia Tech came through with a pair of runs to leap in front. Sophomore shortstop Jin Sileo led off with a walk, followed by a single off the bat of sophomore pinch runner Sandra Beth Pritchett. With two on and two down, Kauf came through with a monumental double for two RBI, propelling Tech ahead 3-2. UAB evened the tally in the bottom of the frame on a fielder’s choice, sending the game to extras.

Junior designated hitter Caroline Davis led off the top of the eighth with a single, and senior second baseman Zeitler stunned the Blazers with an inside-the-park, two-run home run through right side of the infield to move the Jackets in front. With a two-run advantage going into the bottom half, the Jackets retired the side to secure the 5-3 road victory in eight innings.

Game Notes

  • Georgia Tech scored all five of its runs in the sixth inning and later.
  • Coming into the contest third in the nation and leading the ACC in doubles, Kauf added her 16th double of the season.
  • Zeitler’s inside-the-park home run marked her first round trip of the season and fifth of her career.
  • The Jackets picked up their third extra-inning victory of the season.
  • Dennis earned her 10th win in the circle this season.
  • The Yellow Jackets have claimed five of the six all-time meetings with the Blazers.

Up Next

Georgia Tech will host its final home ACC series of the season, taking on NC State (28-15, 5-10 ACC) beginning on Friday at 6 p.m. at Meborn Field. The series will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.

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