Jackets Drop Doubleheader to No. 13 HokiesJackets Drop Doubleheader to No. 13 Hokies
Softball

Jackets Drop Doubleheader to No. 13 Hokies

Tech surrenders first conference series this season

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball (15-11, 2-3 ACC) fell in a doubleheader to No. 13 Virginia Tech (21-5, 7-1 ACC) on Saturday at Mewborn Field, dropping a conference series for the first time this season. Holding within three runs heading to the sixth in both contests, the Yellow Jackets were topped 7-4 in game one and 8-2 in game two.

Despite the outcome, sophomore outfielders Madison Dobbins and Ella Edgmon were electric at the plate, both batting well over .500 on the day. Dobbins led the Jackets as she went 4-for-5 through both contests for an .800 average, while Edgmon batted .600 with a 3-for-5 day, including a double.

Three Yellow Jackets displayed their power in the first game of the afternoon as junior designated player Sara Beth Allen, senior catcher Emma Kauf and sophomore second baseman Grace Connelly all went yard. Allen moved back into a tie for the team lead on the season with six longballs while Kauf and Connelly remain tied for second on the squad with four apiece.

In the circle, senior hurlers Chandler Dennis (9-4) and Blake Neleman (4-4) received the losses. Despite Dennis’ loss, sophomore slinger Sophia Voyles shouldered the bulk of the load in game one, allowing two runs in 4.1 innings of work. Neleman dealt for 5.1 innings in game two, picking up seven strikeouts and surrendering three earned runs.

Softball vs. Virginia Tech

March 18, 2023 (Danny Karnik)

Game One

Virginia Tech climbed aboard early, sending in the first run of the day on an RBI double in the top of the first. The Hokies built up their lead in the second, tacking on four more runs with back-to-back two-RBI swings by way of a double and following homer for a 5-0 lead.

Georgia Tech later carved into the lead as Allen launched a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. Edgmon led off the fifth with a double, moving to third to set up an RBI single off the bat of Kauf, cutting the Hokie lead to 5-2.

Virginia Tech moved back up to a five-run advantage in the top of the sixth, swatting another two-RBI double.

Down to their final three outs, the Yellow Jackets rallied with back-to-back jacks in the bottom of the seventh courtesy of Kauf and Connelly to trim the lead to 7-4. Virginia Tech stopped the bleeding there, retiring the next three batters in order to conclude game one on top, 7-4.

Game Two

The Hokies moved ahead first once again in game two, taking the initial lead with an RBI single in the top of the third. Virginia Tech followed with four more solo shots, lacing one in the fourth and another three in the sixth for a 5-0 advantage.

The White and Gold responded in the bottom of the sixth as Allen powered the third consecutive single of the inning through the infield, scoring both Kauf and Dobbins to trail 5-2.

The Hokies came right back in the top of the seventh, knocking a three-run dinger that proved to be the final blow as Virginia Tech pulled out game two, 8-2.

Up Next

Georgia Tech will wrap up the weekend series, taking on the Hokies in the finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Mewborn Field. The game will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra.

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