May 19, 2016
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THE FLATS – Behind yet another solid pitching performance by Brandon Gold, the 22nd-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets used a four-run third inning Thursday night to defeat Boston College 6-3 at Russ Chandler Stadium.
With the win, Georgia Tech (35-18, 13-14 ACC) is now one win away from clinching a spot in next week’s ACC Tournament in Durham. Tech is still in contention to finish either fifth or sixth and avoid playing in Tuesday’s play-in games.
The loss snapped Boston College’s (29-19, 11-15 ACC) three-game win streak against the Yellow Jackets. The Eagles are now 1-10 all-time at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Freshman Brandt Stallings tied a career high with three hits, finishing 3-for-4 with 2 RBI. Senior Matt Gonzalez went 2-for-5 and also added 2 RBI.
THE BASICS
• Georgia Tech improved to 23-9 at home this season.
• Georgia Tech leads the series 17-10, including a 10-1 mark at Russ Chandler Stadium.
• Georgia Tech’s win snapped a three-game losing streak against Boston College.
• 34 of Tech’s 53 games this season have been played in less than three hours. Georgia Tech is 27-7 (20-2 at home) in games played in less than three hours.
• Georgia Tech is 34-2 when allowing fewer than eight runs in a game this season (12-1 in ACC play).
• Georgia Tech has now won its last 93 games when leading after 8 (30-0 this season, 13-0 in ACC).
• Georgia Tech 10-3 this season when Brandon Gold starts on the mound.
QUOTEBOARD
“I thought our defense let us down a little bit tonight. But Brandon Gold pitched above our defense, bailed us out time and time again. We had the one big inning on (Mike) King. I thought Zac Ryan threw really well and Matthew Gorst was outstanding in the end once again.” – Georgia Tech head coach Danny Hall
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Boston College took advantage of three hits and two costly Georgia Tech errors allowed the Eagles to take a 2-0 lead in the 1st.
• Tech scratched a run back in the bottom of the 1st. With one on and one out, head coach Danny Hall called for the hit-and-run. Wade Bailey broke for 2nd on the Matt Gonzalez’s ground out, broke for 3rd. A throwing error by Boston College 1B Mitch Bigras allowed Bailey to score.
• BC went back up by two runs in the 2nd. Bigras redeemed himself with an RBI single through the right side, giving the Eagles a 3-1 cushion.
• Tech took the lead with a four-run 3rd inning. With two on and no out, Matt Gonzalez laced a 2-RBI single to left, tying the game at 3-3. Four batters later, Brandt Stallings’ 2-RBI single to left-center gave Tech a 5-3 advantage.
• Georgia Tech added to its lead in the 6th thanks to a Kel Johnson RBI single down the right field line.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Georgia Tech turned two double plays, increasing its NCAA-leading total to 69 double plays.
• Junior SS Connor Justus made his team-leading 92nd consecutive start.
• Sophomore DH Kel Johnson went 1-for-4, extending his team-best hit streak to 8 games.
• Senior OF Matt Gonzalez is now 6th place all-time at Georgia Tech with 285 career hits. He is two hits shy of tying Jay Payton (287) for 5th.
• Junior C Arden Pabst threw out his 47th baserunner of his career.
• Freshman Brandt Stallings tied a career high with three hits.
• Junior Matthew Gorst is now tied for 3rd on Tech’s single-season saves list with Mike Hostetler. Gorst’s 11 saves are three shy of the school single-season mark (Brett Binkley, 14).
UP NEXT
No. 22 Georgia Tech and Boston College square off in Game 2 of their pivotal ACC series at 12 p.m. Friday. The game has been moved up due to the threat of inclement weather. The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 and WREK 91.1 FM.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GTBaseball), Facebook (facebook.com/GTbaseball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
