April 25, 2006
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ATLANTA–Fifth-ranked Georgia Tech (32-9, 13-8 ACC) visits Georgia (24-15, 7-11 SEC) on Wednesday for the second of three scheduled regular season meetings between the two schools. First pitch at Foley Field is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised by CSS. The Yellow Jackets and Bulldogs will play on May 10 at Turner Field.
Georgia Tech moved up to No. 5 in the national polls this week after sweeping a three-game seriesat fifth-ranked Florida State last weekend. Tech spent three weeks earlier this season ranked No. 1 in the nation, the 11th time in school history the Yellow Jackets have topped the national polls.
Georgia dropped two of three games to Tennessee last weekend.
Following Wednesday’s game, Georgia Tech visits Boston College for a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series this weekend.
Pitching Matchup: (Georgia Tech vs. Georgia)
RHP Chris Hicks (3-0, 4.12) vs. LHP Nathan Moreau (3-1, 5.13)
GAME COVERAGE: Wednesday’s game will be televised by CSS. Radio coverage on 790 The Zone (790 AM in Atlanta / online at: www.790thezone.com). Live statistics available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
Georgia Tech vs. Georgia
In one of the longest running rivalries in the nation, Georgia leads Georgia Tech 187-143-2 in a series that dates to 1898.
The Yellow Jackets hold an 82-68-1 egde in games played in Atlanta, while the Bulldogs hold a 106-49 advantage in games played in Athens. Tech and Georgia have played every year since 1946 when the series was suspended for three years during World War II.
The 331-game series is Tech’s longest against any opponent. The Yellow Jackets’ next longest series are 224 games against Auburn and 186 games against Clemson.
Tech has had the upper hand in recent years, posting a 41-26 record against Georgia since 1988. The two teams have split the last eight meetings.
The Yellow Jackets won the first meeting of the year on Apr. 12 in Atlanta by a score of 8-2. Matt Wieters went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI, while Steven Blackwood was 4-for-5. Tech’s David Duncan (3.0 IP), Brad Rulon (3.0 IP), Tim Ladd (1.0 IP) and Chris Hicks (2.0 IP) combined to hold the Bulldogs to six hits.
Georgia Tech is 28-19 against Georgia under head coach Danny Hall.
Offensive Short Hops
Third in NCAA in Scoring: Georgia Tech ranks third in the nation, averaging 9.4 runs per game. UNC Wilmington leads the nation at 10.0 rpg, while Troy ranks second at 9.6 rpg.
Runs, Runs, Runs: The Yellow Jackets have scored 80 runs in their current six-game winning streak, averaging 13.3 runs per game. Tech scored 12 and 22 runs in the final two games of the Clemson series, scored 13 runs at Georgia State and scored 15, 10 and 8 runs at Florida State.
Bats Warm With the Weather: After hitting .299 through the first 24 games of the season (though Mar. 26), Tech’s offense has exploded by batting .360 over the last 17 games. Tech scored 8.6 runs per game in the first 24 games of the year before averaging 10.5 runs per game over the last 17 games.
Record Outburst vs. Clemson: Georgia Tech scored 40 runs in three games against Clemson two weeks ago, the Yellow Jackets’ most ever in a three-game series against the Tigers. Tech scored 22 runs on Sunday, the most runs for the Jackets in the 186-game series between the schools.
Runs Keep Coming at Florida State: The Yellow Jackets erupted for 33 runs on 41 hits in a three-game sweep at Florida State last weekend. Tech reached double-figure scoring in the the first two games of the series after Florida State had not allowed a team to score 10 runs in its first 40 games of the season. Tech’s 18 hits in the series finale was the most FSU had allowed in 94 games.
Comeback Kids: Georgia Tech swept #5 Florida State last weekend, coming from behind in all three games. Tech rallied from a 6-0 deficit on Friday to win 15-8, trailed 3-2 in game two before winning 10-4, and fell behind 3-1 only to win 8-7 in the finale.
The Yellow Jackets have come from behind to win on 13 occasions this season, including 11 times when Tech has trailed in the first three innings of the game.
Versus the State of Georgia
Georgia Tech is 9-1 against teams from the state of Georgia in 2006, posting a 3-0 record vs. Kennesaw State, a 3-1 record vs. Georgia Southern, a 2-0 record vs. Georgia State, and a 1-0 record vs. Georgia. Since 1999, Tech owns a 72-18 (.800) record against its in-state foes. The Yellow Jackets are 115-35 (.767) against teams from Georgia in 13 years under head coach Danny Hall.
Bullish on the Bullpen
Georgia Tech’s pitching staff has been bolstered by stong efforts from the bullpen. Relievers have pitched 172.1 innings in 41 games, posting a 3.08 ERA and a 15-2 record with 11 saves.
Over the last nine games, Tech’s bullpen has allowed just five earned runs in 44.1 innings, posting a 1.02 ERA and holding opponents to a .168 batting average. In that span, Tech’s opponents have pitched 43.1 innings in relief and have allowed 49 earned runs (10.18 ERA).
Road Warriors
Georgia Tech is near the end of a stretch where it plays 14 of its 20 games on the road. The Yellow Jackets play ACC road series in four of five weekends. Included in that stretch are road trips to Maryland, Virginia Tech, Florida State and Boston College, while Tech’s lone home series was against Clemson on Easter Weekend. Tech hosts Georgia Southern and Georgia in midweek non-conference action during this span.
The positive side to Tech’s road schedule in April is that the Yellow Jackets will not have to leave the city of Atlanta in the month of May. Tech plays 10 home games against South Florida, Duke, Wofford and Miami, and the Yellow Jackets’ lone game away from Russ Chandler Stadium is a May 10 matchup against Georgia at Turner Field.
