March 17, 2006
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ATLANTA–Top-ranked Georgia Tech (17-1, 2-1 ACC) visits No. 20 NC State (19-4, 3-0) for a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series this weekend in Raleigh, N.C. Gametimes are 3 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Yellow Jackets are ranked No. 1 in the nation by Baseball America and USA Today/ESPN, and Tech is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the 11th time in school history.
The Yellow Jackets began the 2006 season with 16 straight wins before dropping their first game on Sunday against Virginia. Tech’s 16-0 start tied for the second best 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 9.1 runs and batting .306 in 18 games this season.
Georgia Tech’s pitching staff owns a 3.34 ERA. Tech’s bullpen has been impressive, posting a 6-0 record, six saves and a 2.67 ERA in 67.1 innings.
Pitching Matchups (GT vs. NC State)
Friday: RHP Blake Wood (5-0, 4.66) vs. RHP Eryk McConnell (4-2, 2.55)
Saturday: RHP Tim Gustafson (1-0, 1.56) vs. LHP Eric Surkamp (2-0, 2.84)
Sunday: TBA vs. RHP Gib Hobson (4-1, 4.83)
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 online at www.wrek.org.
Georgia Tech vs. NC State
Georgia Tech leads NC State, 59-41, in a series that dates to 1921. NC State holds a slim 20-19 advantage in games played in Raleigh.
The Yellow Jackets have won six straight and 11 of the last 13 games in the series. Last year in Atlanta, Tech swept a three-game series by scores of 9-5, 5-0 and 11-10.
Georgia Tech has had success at Doak Field in recent years. The Yellow Jackets have won eight straight games in Raleigh and have not lost a game on NC State’s home field since the 1998 season. Tech swept a rain-shortened two-game series in 2004, and swept three-game series in 2002 and 2000.
Georgia Tech is 29-13 against NC State 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 17-1 to start the 2006 season, and Georgia Tech had the longest active winning streak in the nation before dropping its first game of the year last Sunday against Virgnia.
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.
Second Best Start in School History
Georgia Tech’s 16-0 record to open 2006 tied for the second 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 also opened 16-0 in 1987.
Bullish on the Bullpen
Georgia Tech’s pitching staff has been bolstered by stong efforts from the bullpen. Tech’s releivers have pitched 67.1 innings in 18 games, posting a 2.67 ERA and a 6-0 record with six saves.
The main workhorses of the bullpen have been Tim Gustafson (1-0, 1.56 ERA, 4 SV), Matt Wieters (0-0, 2.35, 1), Brad Rulon (1-0, 2.70), Chris Hicks (3-0, 1.12) and Jared Hyatt (0-0, 2.79, 1).
Streaking in the ACC
Georgia Tech has enjoyed unprecedented success within the Atlantic Coast Conference since 2004, winning the ACC regular season title in 2004 with an 18-5 league record, and again in 2005 with a 22-8 mark.
Tech had a conference-record 25-game ACC win streak in 2004-05, and the Yellow Jackets have won 40 of their last 49 ACC regular season games.
The Yellow Jackets had a streak of 13 straight ACC series wins in 2004-05, and Tech has won 16 of its last 19 ACC weekend series. Tech has won 24 of its last 26 ACC home games and 21 of its last 29 ACC road games.
