Feb. 27, 2016
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THE FLATS – Home runs by freshman Brandt Stallings and sophomore Wade Bailey powered the 17th-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to a 9-2 win Saturday afternoon over the UMBC Retrievers at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Georgia Tech (6-0) is 6-0 to start the season for the first time since 2010. Tech’s current six-game winning streak is its longest since winning eight straight April 2-12, 2014.
THE LINEUPS
UMBC – Kevin Lachance SS, Nick Naumann LF, Hunter Dolshun C, Jamie Switalski DH, Anthony Gatto 1B, Andrew Casali CF, A.J. Wright 3B, Mitchell Carroll 2B, Tim Kelly RF, Matt Chanin P
Georgia Tech – Wade Bailey 2B, Matt Gonzalez 3B, Kel Johnson DH, Brandon Gold 1B, Connor Justus SS, Joey Bart C, Brandt Stallings RF, Grant Wruble LF, Keyton Gibson P
THE BASICS
• Georgia Tech has won the first two series meetings.
• Georgia Tech has won 16 straight nonconference home games.
• Georgia Tech is 6-0 to start the season for the first time since 2010.
• Tech’s six-game winning streak is its longest since April 2014.
• Georgia Tech is now 856-251-1 all-time at Russ Chandler Stadium.
• Tech turned three double plays, increasing its season total to 12. The Jackets have turned 261 double plays since 2012 – the second-most in the nation during that span.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• UMBC scored first in the third inning on Tim Kelly’s RBI ground out to second base.
• Georgia Tech broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth to take a 4-1 lead. With two runners aboard, Connor Justus drove in the game-tying run on an RBI single to right-center.
• Joey Bart’s RBI sacrifice fly plated the go-ahead run in Brandon Gold. Freshman Brandt Stallings followed with a two-run home run to left field for a 4-1 lead.
• The Retrievers pulled to within two, 4-2, on an RBI groundout by A.J. Wright.
• Tech put the game out of reach with a two-run seventh. Wade Bailey scored on a fielder’s choice from third and Ryan Peurifoy later scored on a passed ball.
• Georgia Tech added three insurance runs in the eighth for the final 9-2 tally. Stallings plated his third run of the game with an RBI sac fly. Bailey then cleared the bases with a monster two-run homer to left.
QUOTE BOARD
“I thought under the circumstances Keyton did fine to be thrown into a start like that. Then I felt like our bullpen did a nice job settling into the game. Ben Parr did well and everyone followed him did a nice job.” – Georgia Tech head coach on last-second starting pitcher Keyton Gibson and the pitching staff’s relief performance
“I was a looking for a good pitch to hit, a fastball. He gave it to me on the inside and put a good swing on it.” – Georgia Tech 2B Wade Bailey on his two-run home run in the eighth inning
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Freshman Brandt Stallings made his first career start Saturday.
• Senior Grant Wruble made his first start of the season Saturday.
• Scheduled starter Jonathan King was scratched due to shoulder soreness before the game.
• Freshman Keyton Gibson earned his career-first start, allowing one run on three hits in 3.0 innings.
• Junior LHP Ben Parr earned his first win of the season, allowing two hits with three strikeouts in 2.0 scoreless innings.
• Burton Dulaney, Bobby Gauvreau, Micah Carpenter and Patrick Wiseman combined to allow one run on two hits in 4.0 innings of relief.
• Stallings went 1-for-2 with three RBI, including his career-first home run.
• Wade Bailey and Connor Justus each recorded a team-best three hits.
UP NEXT
No. 17 Georgia Tech concludes its series with UMBC on Sunday at Russ Chandler Stadium. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. Fans can listen live on WREK-HD 2. Sunday is also Kids Day at the ballpark; kids can join their favorite players on the field for the National Anthem and run the bases after the game.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GTBaseball), Facebook (facebook.com/GTbaseball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
