Feb. 18, 2003
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Powered by shutout wins from pitchers Erin Voeltz and Jessica Sallinger, the 19th-ranked Georgia Tech softball team (6-3) swept a doubleheader from Furman (2-2) Tuesday at the Lady Paladins’ Pepsi Stadium. The Jackets won 4-0 in the first game and took the second, 1-0.
The two standout hurlers limited Furman to just three combined hits in 13 innings. Voeltz won game one with a two-hitter, while Sallinger tossed a one-hitter in the second contest.
In game one, the Jackets took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third, as center fielder Sara Wissmann got the rally started with an infield single. After moving over to second, she stole third base. The throw then got by third, and Wissmann came home when Furman left fielder Kristin White bobbled the ball. Right fielder Kirin Kumar then singled and scored on a RBI double to left center by second baseman Felicia Coursey.
Tech added a run in the fifth when Coursey, who led off the frame with her third hit of the day, scored from third. Left fielder Soraya Reddick reached first on a throwing error by the Lady Paladin third baseman Caroline Evans, allowing Coursey to score. The run gave the Jackets a 3-0 advantage.
Freshman pinch hitter Peri Zakin pushed the margin to 4-0 with a RBI single to left center in the top of the seventh. Her hit scored classmate Amy Hosier, who came on to pinch run after catcher Lindsay Wood singled.
The four-run cushion was more than enough for Voeltz, who improved to 4-0 with the complete game victory. After taking a no-hitter into the sixth, she allowed just two hits for the second time in her last three starts. Voeltz walked none and fanned three batters. With the shutout, her second of the season, her ERA falls to 1.65. Furman starter Rachel Henley (1-1) took the loss. She allowed three runs on seven hits in four innings.
At the plate, Tech posted a season-best nine hits. Coursey went 3-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI, while Wissmann added two safeties of her own.
A sacrifice fly by first baseman Katie Donovan put the Jackets up 1-0 in the fourth inning of game two. Kumar and shortstop Tara Knudsen singled to start the inning, before Wood bunted both runners into scoring position. Donovan then flied out to left, scoring Kumar and plating the winning run.
After allowing a double and pitching out of a jam in the bottom of the first, Sallinger (2-3) settled down and did not allow another hit for the rest of the game. She went six innings, allowed one hit, three walks and fanned six. Sallinger has not allowed an earned run in her last 25 innings of work. Furman’s Meghan Johnson (1-1) took the loss. She gave up four hits and one run, while striking out eight Tech batters.
Offensively for Tech, Kumar went 2-for-3 to raise her average to .375, which ties for the team lead.
The second game was called after six innings due to darkness.
Tech returns to action Friday at the University of Florida’s Cox Communications Classic. The Jackets face Illinois at 11 a.m., followed by a 1:30 p.m. meeting with Oakland.
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