Tech Shutout Secures Pitt Series, 3-0

PITTSBURGH – Georgia Tech softball (23-20, 6-12 ACC) shut out Pitt (19-19, 3-11 ACC) for a series-clinching, 3-0 victory on Sunday at Vartabedian Field. Senior hurler Blake Neleman (9-8) spearheaded the series winner from the circle as she tossed her 10^th career shutout and second of the season, allowing a three-run outburst by the Jacket bats in the sixth to secure the White and Gold’s third series triumph on the year.

In Tech’s sixth shutout of the season, Neleman surendered just six hits alongside three strikeouts in seven innings of work, earning her ninth win on the year and 45^th of her career. In the process, the Marietta, Ga., native moved up to six complete games this season and 33 in her career.

At the dish, junior shortstop Jin Sileo broke the stalemate in the sixth with her first home run of the season and fifth of her career.

Going an efficient 2-for-4, senior catcher Emma Kauf had a solid day overall as her RBI double gave her sole possession of third in program history in career doubles with 47 to date.

Also putting together serviceable days were sophomore center fielder Ella Edgmon and junior right fielder Sara Beth Allen as Edgmon was a perfect 2-for-2 while Allen drove in the remaining run with her fifth double on the year.

Defensively, junior third baseman Mallorie Black and freshman left fielder Paige Vukadinovich added to the weekend’s tally of diving catches with a pair of their own.

How it Happened

In a pitcher’s duel throughout, both sides remained scoreless until Sileo led off the top of the sixth with a solo shot. Soon after, Kauf roped her historic RBI double, and Allen followed suit to give Georgia Tech a three-run advantage. Neleman continued to deal for the remaining six outs, securing the complete-game shutout for a 3-0 Yellow Jacket victory and Tech’s third conference-series win of the season.

Game Notes

• Georgia Tech earned its third ACC series victory, taking two of three games over Pitt.
• The shutout marked the sixth of the season for the Yellow Jackets.
• Neleman tossed her sixth complete game of the year and second shutout of the spring.
• The Marietta, Ga., native moved up to 10 career shutouts and 33 complete games donning the White and Gold in the appearance.
• In Neleman’s ninth win of the year, she allowed just six hits alongside three strikeouts in seven innings of work.
• Kauf’s RBI double gave her sole possession of third in program history in career doubles with 47 to date.
• Kauf (2-for-4) and Edgmon (2-for-2) both came away with multiple hits.
• Sileo’s solo shot marked her first of the season and fifth of her career.
• Allen also went for extra bases with her fifth double of the year, picking up an RBI.

Up Next

Georgia Tech will head home for a pair of midweek matchups, beginning with Georgia State (16-27, 5-10 SBC) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Mewborn Field. The game will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.

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