March 4, 2012
WOODSTOCK, Ga. – On the final day of the Buzz Classic, the No. 25 Georgia Tech softball team split it’s games defeating Southeastern Louisiana by the run rule 8-0 in game one and falling 6-3 to Elon in the finale. Tech (12-9) was 4-1 on the weekend.
Hope Rushthrew a gem of a one-hitter allowing the lone hit in the bottom of the fourth against the Lions (2-14). Rush shut out her opponent for the fourth time this season, striking out five in the game one victory. Kyle Kleinschmidt tallied the loss in game two dropping the decision to Elon (9-3). Kleinschmidt pitched four innings and struck out six batters, but gave up six runs on four hits and six walks.
Chelsie Thomas was 2-for-2 on the day, scoring three runs and drawing four walks. Ashley Thomasgarnered two hits in five at bats, also scoring three runs while driving in three on the day. The latter Thomas laid down two sac bunts and was 2-for-2 on the base paths.
In game one the Jackets got out to a fourth inning lead and never looked back finishing with an 8-0 run rule victory. Chelsie and Ashley Thomaswere an integral part of Tech’s offense using their speed to score four of Tech’s eight runs.
Chelsie Thomas walked to begin the fourth, stole second and moved to third on a bunt single by Ashley Thomas. Chelsie came across on a passed ball, while Ashley went first to third on the same play. Kate Kuzmawalked and stole second and both runners came across after a fielding error by the SELU short stop for a 3-0 fourth inning lead.
Tech added to its lead in the next inning again as both Thomases got on base via a walk and an error by the first baseman respectively. The duo moved up to second and third on a wild pitch and Chelsie came home on a groundout to short by Kuzma for the fourth run of the game. One batter later, Alysha Rudnikblasted a two-run shot to deep centerfield to give Tech a 6-0 advantage after five. The homer was the first of the year for Rudnik and brought home Ashley.
In the sixth, Shannon Bearadded to Tech’s total with a two run shot of her own, also to centerfield. Bear’s blast was her third of the year, on just her sixth hit of the year. The round tripper gave Tech an 8-0 lead as the Jackets would hang on for the run rule victory.
Elon jumped out to the early lead in game two putting two runs on the board in each of the first and second innings. Tech cut that lead to one as Ashley Thomascontinued to contribute to the offense and blasted a three run shot just over the right field wall, her second of the season.
Elon added another run to its total in the top of the third when Cyra Cottrell hit a solo shot out for a 5-3 Elon lead. The run total continued to grow as three walks in the fourth inning by Kleinschmidt accounted for yet another run by the Phoenix, bringing them to a 6-3 lead where they would hang on for the victory.
The Jackets will be back in action with a mid-week game, Tuesday, when they take on Western Carolina in a 5 p.m. show down at Mewborn Field.
Keep up to date with the Georgia Tech Softball team all season long at www.RamblinWreck.com as well as twitter.com/GaTechSoftball and facebook.com/GTSoftball
