Feb. 16, 2007
ATLANTA – David Duncan tossed six shutout innings, allowing just one hit while the Yellow Jacket hitters combined for eight extra-base hits as Georgia Tech (2-2) defeated Illinois-Chicago (1-3), 11-2, in the opening game of a three-game series Friday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Freshman Curtis Dupart led the Jackets with three hits, including a triple and two doubles, while Danny Payne, Michael Fisher and Jeff Ussery added two hits apiece. Payne scored a game-high three runs, while Matt Wieters led the Jackets with three RBI.
Duncan (1-1) struck out a season-high seven batters while walking just two in the Jackets’ win. Eddie Burns and Elliott Ogawa each pitched scoreless innings in relief for Tech.
Payne led off the third inning with a triple down the left field line before scoring the first of Tech’s four runs in the frame on an RBI groundout by Fisher. With one out, Luke Murton doubled and Tony Plagman walked before a single by Patrick Long scored Murton and a single by Ussery plated Plagman. A double by Dupart, his second of the game, drove in Long for the fourth run of the inning.
Tech scratched for a pair of runs in the fourth inning to push the score to 6-0. Payne led off with a walk and moved to third on a single by Fisher and an error by the UIC pitcher Zach Peterson. Matt Wieters then singled to the pitcher, driving in Payne, while Fisher scored on the same play on another error by Peterson.
The Jackets broke the game open with five runs in the fifth inning to push the score to 11-0. Ussery reached on an error to lead off the frame and scored on a triple by Dupart. After Jeff Dantzler walked, Payne reached on a fielder’s choice, which scored Dupart, and then came around to score on a single by Fisher. A home run by Matt Wieters, his second of the season, capped Tech’s scoring in the frame.
Illinois-Chicago scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning to avoid the shutout. Brett Schaefer led off with a walk and advanced to third on a double by Jake Carr. A walk issued to David Cales loaded the bases for the Flames before Schaefer scored UIC’s first run when Ryan Meehan hit into a double play. Carr then came around to score on a double by Chris Rutta before Ryan Schweikert struck out to end the inning.
Peterson (0-1) took the loss for the Flames, allowing six runs on eight hits in four innings.
The Jackets and Flames continue the three-game series Saturday afternoon. First pitch is at 1 p.m., and live video of the game can again be found on ACC Select (gatech.playonsports.tv). Livestats for all of Georgia Tech’s baseball games can be found on www.ramblinwreck.com.
