March 9, 2006
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
ATLANTA–Top-ranked Georgia Tech (14-0) opens the Atlantic Coast Conference portion of the schedule by hosting Virginia (14-2) for a three-game series this weekend at Russ Chandler Stadium. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. on Friday, and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Yellow Jackets, who have the longest active winning streak in the nation, are ranked No. 1 in the nation by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and USA Today/ESPN. Tech is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the 11th time in school history.
The Yellow Jackets are off to a 14-0 start in 2006, the third best start in school history. Tech set a school record with a 17-0 record in 2003, and opened 16-0 in 1987.
Tech’s offense is averaging 9.4 runs and batting .314 in 14 games this season.
Georgia Tech’s pitching staff owns a 3.07 ERA and has held opponents to a .257 batting average. Tech’s bullpen has been impressive, posting a 5-0 record, five saves and a 2.66 ERA in 47.1 innings.
Pitching Matchups (GT vs. Virginia)
Friday: RHP Blake Wood (4-0, 6.00) vs. LHP Mike Ballard (3-0, 1.48)
Saturday: LHP Lee Hyde (2-0, 2.14) vs. RHP Jacob Thompson (4-0, 1.38)
Sunday: LHP Tim Ladd (2-0, 2.45) vs. LHP Sean Doolittle (3-0, 0.52)
GAME COVERAGE: Live statistics on the internet will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com. Radio coverage on WREK-FM (91.1 FM in Atlanta) and on the internet at WREK.
Georgia Tech vs. Virginia
Georgia Tech leads Virginia, 57-33-1, in a series that dates to 1924. The Yellow Jackets hold a 31-12-1 advantage in games played in Atlanta.
The Cavaliers have had the upper hand over the last two years, posting a 6-1 record against the Yellow Jackets. Virginia has won six straight regular season meetings, although Georgia Tech won the ACC Championship game last year in Jacksonville.
Last year, Virginia sewpt Georgia Tech in Charlottesville, winning by scores of 4-2, 9-2 and 2-1.
Georgia Tech and Virginia met for the ACC Championship last year, and Tech won a 4-3 decision to claim the Yellow Jackets’ seventh conference title.
Eight of the last nine meetings between Tech and Virginia have been decided by three runs or less, including five games that have been decided by one run.
Georgia Tech is 24-14 against Virginia under head coach Danny Hall.
Jackets Achieve No. 1 National Ranking
Georgia Tech ascended to the No. 1 spot in the USA Today/ESPN coaches’ poll released on Feb. 27. The Yellow Jackets moved to the top spot in both the Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball polls on Mar. 6. Tech is off to a 14-0 to start the 2006 season, and Georgia Tech has the longest active winning streak in the nation.
Georgia Tech is ranked as the top team in the country for the 11th time in school history, including six times in 13 years under head coach Danny Hall. Tech’s last No. 1 ranking came on March 28, 2005. The Yellow Jackets are ranked No. 1 for the fifth time since 2000.
LONGEST ACTIVE WINNING STREAKS IN THE NATION
Streak School14 Georgia Tech12 Florida State10 Texas A&M10 Wake Forest10 Wichita State
Third Best Start in School History
Georgia Tech’s 14-0 record to open 2006 stands as the third best mark to open a season in school history. The Yellow Jackets set a school record with a 17-game winning streak to open the 2003 season, and Tech opened 16-0 in 1987. Listed below are Tech’s best records to open a season:
Best Starts to Open a Season
Year Start Final Record2003 17-0 44-181987 16-0 51-142006 14-0 ???1985 11-0 42-19-11997 10-0 41-221946 10-0 10-2
