May 9, 2011
CHICAGO – Sophomore Brandon Thomas was 4-for-4 with two doubles to back a solid seven inning start from classmate Buck Farmer as No. 9 Georgia Tech (34-14) swept Illinois-Chicago (22-22) with a 5-1 victory Monday afternoon at Les Miller Field.
Thomas’ four hits paced the Yellow Jackets’ 13 total in the game. His leadoff double in the third inning ignited a five-hit frame, and started a three-run rally after the Jackets had fallen down by a 1-0 score in the first inning.
Tech received RBI singles from junior Jacob Esch, sophomore Matt Skole and freshman Daniel Palka for the early runs.
Farmer (8-2) earned the victory after scattering one run on six hits over seven innings. He had five strikeouts on the afternoon.
The Flames’ only run of the game came on a RBI single in the first inning by second baseman Matt Serna.
UIC starter Joey Begel (3-3) held the Jackets to just two hits through the first two innings, but the Tech bats came alive for 10 more over the next five innings against the right-hander. Begel took the loss after allowing four runs on 12 hits over seven frames.
Tech added another in the sixth inning on a double to left field by Thomas that scored teammate Sam Dove from first base. It was Thomas’ third hit of the game and second double.
The Jackets closed out the scoring in the eighth as freshman Mott Hyde scampered home from third base on a wild pitch by UIC reliever Chris Hoffman.
Freshman DeAndre Smelter and sophomore Luke Bard worked shutout innings out of the bullpen in the eighth and the ninth to end the game.
The Jackets will make a quick turnaround, returning to Atlanta to host Savannah State in midweek action on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
-RamblinWreck.com-
