Feb. 29, 2004
FULLERTON, Calif. – Mark Roberts worked eight strong innings and Oklahoma (8-1) used a four run first inning in a 6-2 win over third-ranked Georgia Tech (6-3) on Sunday afternoon at Goodwin Field in the final day of the Kia Baseball Bash.
The Sooners captured the championship of the Kia Baseball Bash with a perfect 3-0 record, while the Yellow Jackets went 0-3 in the round-robin event that also included Southern California and host Cal State Fullerton.
Roberts improved to 2-1 in four starts after holding the Yellow Jackets to two unearned runs on just five hits in eight innings. The right-hander issued two walks and struck out eight batters while holding Tech scoreless for the first seven innings of the game. Reliever Jarod McAuliff worked a scoreless ninth inning to close out the game.
After Eric Patterson led off the game with a double but the Yellow Jackets failed to score, the Sooners scored four times in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-0 lead. Oklahoma’s first four hitters all reached base and came around to score. The Sooners loaded the bases with a double from leadoff hitter Jeff Scuderi, a hit batter and a walk before Matt Bose drove in two runs with a single through the left side of the infield. A RBI single from Brenen Herrerra scored Ole Sheldon and Eric Thornton scored Bose with a sacrifice fly for the final run in the inning.
The Yellow Jackets had an opportunity to score in the fourth inning when a walk to Mike Nickeas and a single from Brandon Boggs put runners on first and third bases with two outs, but Roberts retired Steven Blackwood on a fly ball to the left field warning track to end the threat.
From there, Roberts dominated the Tech offense. He allowed just two base runners over the next three innings as the Yellow Jackets were never able to mount an offensive attack.
The Sooners added two insurance runs on just one hit in the seventh inning against Tech reliever Jason Neighborgall to extend the lead to 6-0. After consecutive walks to lead off the inning, Sheldon drove in two runs with a double off the center field wall.
Tech finally broke through in the eighth inning on Jeremy Slayden’s first home run of the year, a two-run shot to right field that made the score 6-2.
Tech starter Andrew Kown (1-1) took the loss in his second start of the season, allowing four runs on four hits in five innings. Kown settled down after a shaky start, surrendering just one base hit after the first inning.
Georgia Tech returns to action on Tuesday when the Yellow Jackets visit Auburn at 7 p.m. (EST). Live statistics will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
