Jackets Fluster Fighting Irish for Upset, 8-1Jackets Fluster Fighting Irish for Upset, 8-1
Softball

Jackets Fluster Fighting Irish for Upset, 8-1

Tech advances to ACC Tournament quarterfinals for the fourth straight season

Box Score

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Georgia Tech softball (26-26, 7-17 ACC) overpowered host and No. 7 seed Notre Dame (29-17-1, 11-12-1 ACC) for an 8-1 victory in the first round of the 2023 ACC Softball Championship on Wednesday at Melissa Cook Stadium. Keeping the Fighting Irish at bay at the plate, the Yellow Jackets took the lead in the opening frame and steadily pulled away with seven runs over the first four innings.

Senior hurler Blake Neleman (11-10) controlled the game from the circle, holding Notre Dame to just one run on five hits while picking up four strikeouts in her eighth complete game of the season.

Three Yellow Jackets came away with multi-hit days as senior catcher Emma Kauf highlighted the Jacket bats, going 2-for-5 with her team-leading 13th double of the season and 49th of her career. Sophomore outfielder Ella Edgmon turned in a 2-for-4 day from the leadoff spot, and sophomore designated player Emma Minghini was the most efficient bat for the White and Gold going 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Georgia Tech vs. Notre Dame

May 10, 2023 (Meg Lee - ACC)

How it Happened

Georgia Tech jumped on top in its first opportunity at the plate, loading the bases by way of back-to-back singles from Edgmon and Kauf as well as a Notre Dame error. Minghini put the Yellow Jackets on the board with an RBI single, and junior first baseman Abby Hughes followed by driving in a second run with a single of her own for a 2-0 Tech lead.

The White and Gold added a score in the top of the second as Edgmon singled and stole second before Kauf roped an RBI double, putting the Jackets ahead by three. Tech tacked on another pair of runs in the top of the third by way of an Irish error for a 5-0 advantage.

In the top of the fourth, a leadoff single by junior right fielder Sara Beth Allen and a subsequent walk primed RBI singles by junior third baseman Mallorie Black and freshman outfielder Paige Vukadinovich to push the Jackets further in front, 7-0.

Notre Dame broke the shutout in the bottom of the frame with a solo shot, but Georgia Tech added a final security run in the top of the sixth thanks a sac fly by senior pinch hitter Caroline Davis.

Neleman closed out the final inning, securing her complete game for an 8-1 Yellow Jacket victory.

Game Notes

  • Georgia Tech has now won its first-round appearance in the ACC Tournament in four consecutive seasons.
  • Neleman earned her 11th win on the season and eighth complete game this year.
  • Kauf barreled her team-leading 13th double this season and 49th of her career.

Up Next

Georgia Tech advances to the quarterfinals to face No. 2 seed Duke on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Melissa Cook Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on ACC Network.

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