April 14, 2010
KENNESAW, Ga. – A three-run home run by sophomore Jessica Sinclair and a grand slam by freshman Hope Rush accounted for all the offense as the No. 9/7 Georgia Tech Softball Team (38-6) beat Kennesaw State (20-18), 7-3, Wednesday night at Bailey Park. Rush improved to 21-4 on the season as well pitching a complete game. She allowed one earned run on three hits with five strikeouts.
It was a scoreless game until the fourth inning as Rush and Kennesaw State starter Jessica Cross were locked up in a pitcher’s duel. Sophomore Kate Kuzma walked to begin the inning and was on second base with two outs when Rush was intentionally walked. Sinclair made the Owls pay as she lifted a 2-2 pitch over the fence in right field for a three-run home run putting Tech up 3-0.
In the top of the fifth inning, Tech knocked Cross out of the game by loading the bases with one out. Redshirt senior Jen Yee began the inning by singling up the middle and went to second base when Kuzma was hit by a pitch. Two batters later, junior Kristine Priebe reached on an infield single which loaded the bases. Cross was pulled for Abbey Meixel who was then greeted rudely by Rush. Rush launched Meixel’s second pitch of the game over the scoreboard in right field for a grand slam which put the Yellow Jackets up 7-0.
That would be the last Tech batter of the game reach as Meixel settled down, but more than enough for Rush.
Rush cruised through the first four innings retiring all 12 batters she faced on just 31 pitches. With one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, she lost the perfect game, no-hitter and shutout on one swing of the bat as Jenna Closner hit a solo home run to right field making it 7-1. The Owls added two more unearned runs later in the inning, but Rush retired the final seven batters of the game for her 21st win of the season.
Georgia Tech will now host Boston College this weekend in its final regular season home games. The Jackets and Eagles will play a doubleheader Saturday, April 17, at 1 p.m. and then conclude with a single game Sunday, April 18, also at 1 p.m. Prior to Game One on Saturday, seniors Kelly Eppinger and Jen Yee will be honored.
