May 10, 2011
ATLANTA – Freshman Mott Hyde was 3-for-3 with a home run and five RBI to lead the ninth-ranked Georgia Tech baseball team to an 11-3 win over Savannah State in midweek action on Tuesday at Russ Chandler Stadium.
The win was the fourth in as many days for the Yellow Jackets as they improved to 35-14 overall on the season. Savannah State fell to 27-22 with the loss.
The five RBI tied a career-high for Hyde, who also drove in five runs against Miami on March 26.
Two of Hyde’s RBI capped a four-run first inning for the Jackets off of Savannah State starter Kyle McGowin (5-4). Tech drove in the other two on a fielder’s choice RBI by junior Jake Davies and a bases-loaded walk drawn by freshman Daniel Palka.
Freshman Matthew Grimes (6-3) picked up the win on the mound after scattering a pair of runs on five hits over six innings.
After issuing a two-out walk in the first inning, Grimes went on to retire 11 straight before giving up back-to-back singles in the fifth inning. Savannah State right fielder Dexter Kelley ripped a one-out double to the wall in left field to score both runners and cut the lead in half.
Kelley paced the Tigers at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI.
Tech would go on to break open the game with five runs in the fifth frame against McGowin, all coming with two outs.
Palka started the scoring with a 2-run triple down the right field line, before Hyde belted a three-run shot over the left field wall for a 9-2 lead. The home run for Hyde was his fourth of the season.
McGowin was credited with the loss after allowing the nine runs (eight earned) on six hits over five innings.
Both teams would trade home runs in the eighth – a solo shot by SSU’s Joseph McCrary and a two-run round-tripper by junior Jacob Esch – to close out the scoring.
The Jackets will continue Atlantic Coast Conference play this weekend, hosting nationally-ranked North Carolina for a three-game series at Russ Chandler Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Zach Brewster, Kevin Jacob, Jeff Ussery and Taylor will all be honored on Sunday as a part of “Senior Day”.
