STATESBORO, Ga. (Feb. 12) – Freshman first baseman Tyler Parker blasted two home runs and drove in four in his first game as a Jacket, leading No. 9 Georgia Tech to a 15-3 season-opening win over Georgia Southern.
With two out in the second inning, Parker took the first pitch he saw in the second inning over the center field fence to give Tech an early 1-0 lead.
After the Eagles plated a run to tie the game in the bottom of the second, Tech struck for two in the top of the fourth, including a solo home run by sophomore Mark Teixeira, to give the Jackets the lead for good.
The Jackets (1-0) broke the game open with six runs in the top of the fifth, keyed by a two-run double by shortstop Victor Menocal and followed by Parker’s second home run of the game, a three-run blast to right field. Each Tech starter finished with at least one base hit in the game.
Junior southpaw Cory Vance (1-0) earned the victory with six strong innings on the mound, allowing just one run and six hits, while Eagles’ starter Brett Lewis (0-1) was credited with the loss, having allowed three runs in three innings of work.
Freshman right-hander Jeff Watchko worked the final three innings to earn his first career save.
The two teams complete their two-game set with a 1:30 p.m. contest on Sunday afternoon in Statesboro. Sophomore right hander Steve Kelly will get the start on the mound for the Jackets, while junior Bill Stewart will take the hill for the Eagles.
