ATLANTA – Junior right hander Rhett Parrott tossed eight strong innings and shortstop Victor Menocal went 4-for-4 to lead third-ranked Georgia Tech (19-6, 3-2 ACC) over Maryland (5-14, 0-5), 8-1, on Saturday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Parrott (6-1) picked up his Atlantic Coast Conference leading sixth win of the year after holding the Terrapins to one run on three hits in eight innings. He walked five batters and struck out six. Jeff Watchko tossed a scoreless ninth inning to close out the game.
Maryland starter Jared Stuart (1-3) took the loss after allowing seven runs on six hits and eight walks in 5.2 innings. Stuart held the Yellow Jackets at bay for most of the afternoon before running into trouble in the sixth inning.
After Maryland took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a sacrifice fly from Steve Oursler, Tech answered with three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-1 lead. The Yellow Jackets loaded the bases to open the inning after Matthew Boggs walked, Menocal singled and Richard Lewis reached on a fielder’s choice. Bryan Prince drove in Boggs with a bases loaded walk, while Brad Stockton delivered a two-run single to score Menocal and Lewis.
The two teams traded zeroes on the scoreboard before the Yellow Jackets broke the game open with five runs in the bottom of the sixth to take an 8-1 lead. Tech did all of its damage after two were out in the inning. Boggs drew a two out walk, and the Jackets loaded the bases after Menocal singled and Lewis walked. Prince drove in Boggs with another bases loaded walk, while Jason Perry delivered a two-run single and Jason Basil followed with a RBI single to cap off the inning.
Georgia Tech and Maryland will conclude the series on Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at Russ Chandler Stadium where the Yellow Jackets will look to complete the three-game sweep.
