Feb. 16, 2002
ATLANTA – Jason Perry blasted two home runs and drove in six runs and four Georgia Tech pitchers combined on a two-hit shutout to lead the ninth-ranked Yellow Jackets (4-0) to a 21-0 win over visiting Tennessee Tech (0-3) on Saturday afternoon before 1,721 at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Georgia Tech starter Jeff Watchko improved to 2-0 after holding the Golden Eagles to just one infield hit over six innings. He did not issue a walk and struck out five batters. Nick Wagner, Drew Taylor and Chris Goodman each tossed one inning to close out the game and preserve the shutout.
Perry paced a Georgia Tech offense that pounded out a season-high 24 hits, including 10 extra base hits. After hitting a RBI triple in the first inning, Perry blasted homers in his next two at bats, his second and third of the season. Perry finished 4-for-6 with a career-best six RBI.
Matt Murton, who went 2-for-4, and Mike Nickeas, who had three hits in five at bats, each homered for the Yellow Jackets in the victory. Freshmen Eric Patterson and Clifton Remole both went 3-for-4, and every starter had at least one hit in the game.
Georgia Tech, which jumped out to a 6-0 lead after three innings, scored in every frame except the third inning. The 21 runs represented the most since scoring 23 runs against Georgia Southern in February of 2001. The 21 run margin of victory was the largest since defeating Stetson 24-1 in the 2000 NCAA Atlanta Regional.
Georgia Tech improved to 4-0 to start the season for the first time since 1997 when the Yellow Jackets opened the season with 10 straight victories.
Tennessee Tech starter Cole Helms (0-2) took the loss, allowing eight runs in 3.1 innings.
The Yellow Jackets and Golden Eagles will conclude the series on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Russ Chandler Stadium.
