April 3, 2006
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ATLANTA–Ninth-ranked Georgia Tech (22-6, 6-6 ACC) hosts Georgia Southern (15-15, 4-2 SoCon) for a two-game midweek series at Russ Chandler Stadium. Gametimes are 7 p.m. on Tuesday and 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Yellow Jackets dropped to No. 9 in the national polls this week after dropping two of three games at Maryland 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 Tech and Georgia Southern are completing the four game, home-and-home series this week. Earlier this season in Statesboro, the Yellow Jackets won two games from the Eagles by scores of 13-9 and 15-7.
The Yellow Jackets began the 2006 season with 16 straight wins before dropping their first game, and Tech’s 16-0 start tied for the second best in school history. Tech set a school record with a 17-0 record in 2003, and opened 16-0 in 1987.
Pitching Matchups: (Georgia Tech vs. Georgia Southern)
Tuesday: LHP Tim Ladd (2-1, 5.14) vs. RHP Matt Shurley (1-1, 5.70)
Wednesday: TBA vs. TBA
GAME COVERAGE: 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 Southern
Georgia Tech leads Georgia Southern, 74-22, in a series that dates to 1947. The Yellow Jackets and Eagles have played every year since 1984, playing at least four times annually since 1986.
Tech had a 20-game winning streak against Georgia Southern snapped in the final game of the 2003 series when the Eagles claimed an 8-7 decision. The Yellow Jackets won 20 straight games in the series from 1996 through 2003. Tech has won 29 of the last 31 meetings.
Georgia Tech has a 40-12 record against Georgia Southern in games played in Atlanta, and the Yellow Jackets have won 13 of the last 15 games played at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Tech is 42-10 (.807) against Georia Southern since 1994 under head coach Danny Hall. The Tech skipper owns a 20-6 record against the Eagles in Atlanta.
Last season, Tech won all four games in the series. The Yellow Jackets won 10-6 and 13-6 in Statesboro, and won 9-1 and 17-6 in Atlanta. Earlier this year, Tech swept a two-game series in Statesboro by scores of 13-9 and 15-7.
Since the 2000 season, Tech has outscored Georgia Southern 300-131, an average of 11.1 to 4.9 per game.
Versus the State of Georgia
Georgia Tech is 6-0 against teams from the state of Georgia in 2006, posting a 3-0 record vs. Kennesaw State, a 2-0 record vs. Georgia Southern and a 1-0 record vs. Georgia State. Since 1999, Georgia Tech owns a 69-17 (.802) record against its in-state foes. The Yellow Jackets are 112-34 (.767) against teams from Georgia in 13 years under head coach Danny Hall.
Road Warriors
Georgia Tech began a stretch where it plays 14 of its 20 games on the road with last weekend’s trip to Maryland. 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 is against Clemson on Easter Weekend. Tech hosts Georgia Southern and Georgia in 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 nine home games against South Florida, Duke and Miami, and the Yellow Jackets’ lone game away from Russ Chandler Stadium is a May 10 matchup against Georgia at Turner Field.
Bullish on the Bullpen
Georgia Tech’s pitching staff has been bolstered by stong efforts from the bullpen. Relievers have pitched 112.1 innings in 28 games, posting a 2.96 ERA and a 9-1 record with eight saves.
The bullpen has been especially impressive in Tech’s last seven games. In that span, the unit has worked 29.1 innings, and has allowed seven earned runs on 18 hits (.176). The Jackets had a streak of 11.1 scoreless innings from the bullpen in that stretch.
