March 8, 2002
Atlanta – Sophomore Kyle Bakker pitched eight strong innings and Victor Menocal added two hits to lead fifth-ranked Georgia Tech (11-1) to a 6-4 win over visiting Winthrop (8-7) Friday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Tech jumped out early with Tyler Parker and Brandon Boggs each driving in two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Eric Patterson then scored in the second to make the score 5-0 on an RBI groundout by Menocal. After allowing two runs in the third and sixth innings, the Yellow Jackets capped off their scoring as Patterson scored on a throwing error by Winthrop catcher John Neale in the seventh inning. Patterson finished off the afternoon with a hit, two runs scored and four stolen bases.
Bakker (5-0) picked up the victory after striking out eight batters, while walking none. Sophomore Brian Burks picked up his third save of the season by pitching a scoreless ninth.
Winthrop scored their four runs on two-run home runs by Bennett Stapf and Ben Thurmond. Jeff Reeves (3-2) took the loss for Winthrop after allowing six runs in 6.2 innings.
Georgia Tech will return to action tomorrow in the second game of the series at Russ Chandler Stadium, with the first pitch thrown at 1:30 p.m. Live scoring for the game will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
