April 11, 2009
Game 2 Box Score | Game 3 Box Score | Updated Stats
ATLANTA – Sophomore Kristen Adkins pitched nine shutout innings and hit the game-winning, three-run home run in game two as the No. 22 Georgia Tech softball team (31-11, 9-3 ACC) completed the series sweep of NC State (20-19, 3-9) Saturday afternoon at Mewborn Field.
After game two of the series was halted for severe weather in the sixth inning tied at one last night, Tech picked up a 4-1 win when play resumed this afternoon. Adkins came in and pitched two scoreless innings, while her two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth proved to be the game-winner. Then in game three of the series, Adkins hurled a two-hit shutout as the Yellow Jackets won 5-0 and completed the sweep.
Adkins (17-6) won all three games of the weekend series as she allowed just five hits and two walks in 14.0 innings. She had 12 strikeouts and pitched two complete-game shutouts.
Game two of the series began last night and was tied at one heading to the top of the sixth inning when play was suspended. A tornado warning was issued and Mewborn Field was evacuated. Tech scored its run in the bottom of the first inning on a Haller RBI single, while the Wolfpack tied it in the fourth on a solo home run by Allison Presnell. Tech pitcher Tiffany Johnson and NC State’s Lindsay Campana were locked up in a pitcher’s duel as they combined for 16 strikeouts though five innings.
Play resumed this afternoon before the scheduled series finale and sophomore Kristen Adkins came into the game to pitch the sixth inning for the Yellow Jackets. After retiring the Wolfpack in order, Adkins helped herself with a three-run home run in the bottom of the inning to give Tech a 4-1 lead. Junior pinch runner Kelly Eppinger and Johnson scored ahead of Adkins. It was her seventh home run of the season.
In the seventh inning, Adkins worked around a couple of singles to win her second game of the series and improve to 16-6 on the season. She gave up two hits and had two strikeouts. Johnson ended up with a no decision as she allowed one run on five hits and a walk in five innings. Johnson fanned seven batters.
Campana (10-8) took the loss for NC State as she was charged with four earned runs on six hits and two walks. She struck out 10 batters.
In game two, the Jackets got to Campana early and knocked her out in the first inning. Senior Blair Shimandle reached on an error with one out and moved to third base on a Weseman single. With two on, Haller ripped a double down the left-field line scoring one run, but Weseman was thrown out at the plate for the second out of the inning. Johnson made it a 2-0 game with a RBI double to the wall in left-center and that was the end of the day for Campana. Mendy McKenzie came in and struck out Adkins, but that ended up being all the offense Tech would need.
The Jackets added one more run in the second inning on a Yee RBI double and two more in the third on an error and a RBI single off the bat of freshman Kate Kuzma.
McKenzie kept the Jacket bats in check for the rest of the game, but Adkins was mowing down the Wolfpack. She allowed just two singles and one walk for her fourth shutout of the season. Adkins needed just 70 pitches for the complete game.
Campana took the loss as she was charged with two runs, both unearned, on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. McKenzie gave up three runs, one earned, on two hits and three walks. She recorded seven strikeouts.
The Yellow Jackets now host Kennesaw State in a single game at Mewborn Field on Tuesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. Live audio and stats will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com. This is a make-up from last month’s rain out.
