March 6, 2004
ATLANTA – Pinch hitter Jeff Miller’s two-run double ignited a four run uprising in the top ninth inning as visiting Rutgers (4-4) defeated No. 12 Georgia Tech (7-5), 7-5, on Saturday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Trailing 4-3 after eight and a half innings, Rutgers struck for four runs in the top ninth inning to take a 7-4 lead. Nick Cerulo led off the inning with a double and moved to third base on a bunt. Graig Badger walked and stole second base before Miller belted a pinch hit, two run double down the right field line to give the Scarlet Knights a 5-4 lead. After an intentional walk to Jeff Frazier and a groundout that advanced both base runners, David Williams drove in two insurance runs with a single to left field.
Mike Nickeas pulled the Yellow Jackets to within 7-5 with a solo home run, his first of the year, in the bottom of the ninth inning. With one out, Brandon Boggs singled to bring the tying run to the plate, but Rutgers reliever Steve Healing (2-0) struck out Micah Owings and retired Clifton Remole on a deep fly ball to the center field warning track to give the Scarlet Knights the 7-5 win.
Healing worked the final 2.2 innings and allowed one run on three hits to earn his second win of the year. Tech reliever Lee Hyde (0-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on just one hit in two innings.
The Yellow Jackets took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Eric Patterson singled and scored an unearned run on third baseman Cory Rodriguez’ throwing error. The Scarlet Knights tied the score at 1-1 in the fourth inning on a solo home run from Frazier, his team-leading third of the season.
Tech took a 3-1 lead with two runs in the fourth inning. Boggs drew a two-out walk, stole second base, and scored on Owings’ RBI single. After consecutive walks to Remole and Wes Hodges loaded the bases, Steven Blackwood drew the third consecutive walk of the inning to drive in Owings.
Rutgers tied the score at 3-3 in the top of the sixth on Colin Gaynor’s two-out, two run double to left field that drove in Frazier and Rodriguez.
The Jackets loaded the bases with one out on consecutive singles from Patterson and Tyler Greene and a walk to Nickeas. Boggs followed with a RBI single through the right side to drive in Patterson and give the Yellow Jackets the lead.
Tech starter Brian Burks pitched well but did not figure in the decision after allowing two runs on three hits in 5.1 innings. Rutgers starter Shaun Parker worked 6.1 innings and allowed four runs.
Tech and Rutgers will play the rubber match of the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. Live statistics will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
