Feb. 28, 2004
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Georgia Tech (13-2) fell down by three runs to No. 7 Michigan and could not forge another last inning comeback as the seventh-ranked Wolverines defeated the Yellow Jackets, 3-1, in the NFCA Leadoff Classic at the South Commons Softball Complex. Junior pitcher Jessica Sallinger (7-1) surrendered one earned run, going the distance for Tech, allowing seven hits and tallying four strikeouts. Michigan (12-3) snapped Tech’s 11-game winning streak.
The Wolverines took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with an unearned run. After a leadoff walk, Tech botched a sacrifice bunt and allowed the base runner to reach third base on a throwing error. Michigan’s Jessica Merchant made the Jackets pay with a base hit to left center field to grab the early lead.
The Yellow Jackets got a leadoff walk in the second inning from junior Liz Bartle. Bartle advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved over to third base on a ground ball to the right side. Bartle was then thrown out at the plate on a grounder to first base as U-M remained on top, 1-0.
U-M’s Jennifer Olds put the seventh-ranked Wolverines up by two runs with a home run to center field in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Jackets trailed 2-0 after five innings of play.
Tech fell down by three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as Michigan tallied a second unearned run on a throwing error by the Yellow Jackets as the game advanced to the seventh inning with Tech trailing by three.
Senior All-American shortstop Tara Knudsen broke up U-M’s Nicole Motycka’s no-hitter with a leadoff base hit to right field to give Tech its third base runner of the game. Knudsen advanced to second base on a wild pitch after a pop out by Soraya Reddick. Liz Bartle then grounded out to first base as Knudsen moved over to third base. Lauren Schlechte then singled for Tech to put the Rambling Wreck on the scoreboard. Kristina Hull then singled to first base as the Yellow Jackets had runners at first and second with two outs. The Wolverines recorded the final out of the game on a ground out to third base as Tech fell for the first time in 11 games, 3-1.
Motycka (6-2) threw all seven innings for the Wolverines, surrendering one run, on three hits and tallied six strikeouts.
Georgia Tech will play in the Silver Championship bracket tonight at 6:30 p.m.
