May 8, 2006
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ATLANTA–Ninth-ranked Georgia Tech (36-12, 14-10 ACC) faces No. 16 Georgia (31-16, 13-11 SEC) Thursday at Turner Field (7 p.m., CSS).
PLEASE NOTE:The Tech-Georgia game was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was moved to Thursday due to the threat of inclement weather.
The Yellow Jackets and Bulldogs are playing at Turner Field for the fourth straight year. The game, which is part of the Spring Baseball Classic, benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor Program. The program has earmarked incoming funds toward the purchase of an intra-operative MRI system, which provides real-time, high-quality images of the brain before, during and after surgery.
Both teams enter the game on a hot streak. Tech swept three games from South Florida last weekend, while Georgia swept South Carolina to extend its winning streak to seven games.
Pitching Matchup: (Georgia Tech vs. Georgia)
GT: LHP Lee Hyde (3-0, 3.22)
UGA: LHP Jason Leaver (1-1, 5.16)
GAME COVERAGE: The game will be televised by CSS in the southeast. Radio coverage on WREK-FM (91.1 FM in Atlanta / online at: www.wrek.org). 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 188-143-2 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 107-49 advantage in games played in Athens and 13-12-1 in neutral site matchups. Tech and Georgia have played every year since 1946 when the series was suspended for three years during World War II.
The 332-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 is 41-27 record against Georgia since 1988.
The Yellow Jackets won the first meeting of the year on Apr. 12 in Atlanta by a score of 8-2. The Bulldogs evened the season series with a 12-6 win in Athens on Apr. 26.
Georgia Tech is 28-20 against Georgia under head coach Danny Hall.
At Turner Field:
Tech and Georgia are playing at Turner Field for the fourth straight year. The game, which is sponsored by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, began in 2003. The Bulldogs won the first meeting, 10-3, in 2003, while the Yellow Jackets won, 12-5, in 2004. Georgia won the 2005 game, 11-8.
The game has featured the three largest attendances for a college baseball game in the state of Georgia:
Year – Attend.
2003 – 8,900
2004 – 28,836
2005 – 14,398
Starters Struggle in April, Look Good in May
Georgia Tech’s starting pitchers struggled in the month of April. In 19 games in the month, Tech’s starting pitchers went a combined 5-7 with a 8.32 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .359.
As the calendar turned to May, the starting rotation showed improvement last weekend vs. South Florida. Tech’s rotation of Blake Wood, David Duncan and John Goodman went 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 21.0 innings. The trio held opponents to a .145 batting average.
Bullish on the Bullpen
Georgia Tech’s pitching staff has been bolstered by stong efforts from the bullpen. Relievers have pitched 194.2 innings in 48 games, posting a 3.10 ERA and a 15-2 record with 12 saves.
Over the last 16 games, Tech’s bullpen has allowed 13 earned runs in 66.2 innings, posting a 1.76 ERA and holding opponents to a .204 batting average. In that span, Tech’s opponents have pitched 69.2 innings in relief and have allowed 70 runs.
Versus the State of Georgia
Georgia Tech is 9-2 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 1-1 record vs. Georgia. Since 1999, Tech owns a 72-19 (.791) record against its in-state foes. The Yellow Jackets are 115-36 (.762) against teams from Georgia in 13 years under head coach Danny Hall.
