ATLANTA (Feb. 24) – Bryan Prince’s three-run double broke open a tight game, and Rhett Parrott won his third straight start as top-ranked Georgia Tech defeated Elon, 9-5, for its sixth straight win Saturday at Russ Chandler Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets improved their record to 7-1, while the Phoenix fell to 6-6 with the third game of the series scheduled for Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Prince’s clutch hit came with Tech clinging to a 5-4 lead with two out and the bases loaded in the sixth inning. Matt Murton doubled and was still on second with two out when the Phoenix elected to intentionally walk Tech leadoff man Richard Lewis. Brian Jackson, who took all-America Mark Teixeira’s place Friday after the slugger broke his ankle, struck out, but reached first the ball got away from Elon catcher Kevin Norden, filling the bases and setting the stage for Prince.
Prince also singled and walked and scored twice in the game.
Parrott (3-0) pitched five innings and gave up four runs, three earned, on three hits. He walked three and fanned one. Freshman Matt Lorenzo pitched three solid innings of relief, and Jeff Watchko pitched a scoreless ninth for the Jackets.
Tech took a 4-0 lead in the first, starting the game off with singles from Lewis, Jackson and Prince. Victor Menocal singled home one run, Derik Goffena brought home another on a sacrifice fly, and Tyler Parker doubled home two more.
After Elon scored an unearned run in the third, Tech made it 5-1 when Prince walked and came around to score on a double play ground ball.
Jason Tuttle, who went 3-for-3 on the day, singled home two runs for Elon on the fourth, and the Phoenix took advantage of a pair of walks to cut the margin to 5-4 in the sixth.
After Prince’s key double in the bottom half of the sixth, Wes Rynders added a solo homer for the winners in the eighth.
Whit Bryant (1-1) took the loss on the mound for Elon, giving up eight runs and 10 hits in six innings.
