March 2, 2003
ATLANTA – Shortstop Tyler Greene homered and drove in three runs and left fielder Matt Murton went 3-for-4 with a home run to lead top-ranked Georgia Tech (9-0) to a 9-2 win over visiting George Washington (4-4) on Sunday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium. The win gave the Yellow Jackets a three-game sweep of the Colonials in the weekend series.
Georgia Tech’s nine game winning streak to open 2003 is the fifth best mark to start a season. The Yellow Jackets set a school record with a 16-0 start in 1987.
Tech starter Jason Neighborgall (2-0) earned the win after holding the Colonials to one run on four hits in five innings of work. Jeff Watchko worked three scoreless innings to close out the game and record his first save of the season.
Dan Sullivan (0-1), who carried a no hitter into the bottom of the fifth inning, took the loss after allowing three runs in 4.1 innings.
The Colonials broke through on the scoreboard to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning on a two-out RBI single from Tom Shanley. The Yellow Jackets immediately answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Murton led off the frame with a solo home run, his first of the season, while Greene added a RBI double and Brandon Boggs plated a run with a bases loaded walk.
A solo home run from Travis Crowder, his first of the year, cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the sixth inning. The Yellow Jackets answered again with three more runs in the bottom of the sixth, pushing the lead to 6-2. Micah Owings had a RBI double before Greene cleared the bases with a two-run homer, his third of the year.
The Yellow Jackets put the game away with three runs in the eighth inning, making the score 9-2. Murton doubled and scored on a wild pitch, Owings singled and scored on a RBI groundout from Cameron Lane and Greene walked and scored on an error by GW third baseman Ryan Roberson.
Murton paced the Tech attack with three hits, and Owings and Greene added two hits apiece. Crowder went 3-for-4 for the Colonials in the loss.
Georgia Tech returns to action on Tuesday when the Yellow Jackets open a two-game series with Campbell. First pitch is set for 4 p.m., and live statistics for the game will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
