May 3, 2019

Six Home Runs Power No. 8 Tech Past WCU

Four Yellow Jackets finish with three RBI in Friday night explosion

THE FLATS – No. 8 Georgia Tech baseball’s 11 runs in the sixth inning broke the game open and it never looked back, blasting Western Carolina 25-4 on Friday night at Russ Chandler Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets (31-14) scored four or more runs in three innings (four in first, 11 in sixth, six in seventh), while also holding the Catamounts (18-23) to just seven hits on the night, including a paltry two hits after the fifth.

Junior RHP Amos Willingham (5-2) received the win, surrendering just four runs on five hits in the first five innings. The team then used a relief pitcher an inning to close in a two-hit finish. WCU’s starter RHP Jack Snyder (0-2) received the loss, allowing four runs on four hits and also issuing five walks. For WCU’s staff, it issued 12 free bases on the night.

Georgia Tech had no shortage of hot bats at the plate. Jackson Webb finished with a career-high four hits, three RBI and his first home run of his career, while Nick Wilhite also hit the first home run of his career in addition to a single. Kyle McCann and Tristin English once again did damage from the 3-4 spots in the order, both finishing with two hits, a home run and three RBI. Michael Guldberg rounded out the five multi-hit Jackets on the night.

Western Carolina was led by just one multi-hit player in Matthew Koehler, who finished with two home runs and three RBI.

The Yellow Jackets return on Saturday, May 4 for Game 2 against the Catamounts. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Russ Chandler Stadium and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.

Postgame Notes:

Georgia Tech improved to 8-2 in its last 10 games
The Jackets scored a season-high 25 runs on a season-high tying 18 hits
Tech’s 26 runs are its most in a game since it scored 25 runs against Georgia on April 14, 2010.
The Jackets scored their most runs in a single inning when it poured on 11 runs in the sixth.
The 11 runs are the most that Tech has scored in a single inning since it scored 12 in the fifth on May 18, 2018 vs. Duke.
The 11 runs are tied for 13th in program history for most runs in an inning
Tech had three “Big Innings” (four or more runs) for the first time this season.
Tech’s offense also produced five sacrifice flies on the night.
Senior pitcher Micah Carpenter, who graduates tomorrow from Georgia Tech, got his first-career hit and RBI when he rocketed one up the middle in the eighth.
Chase Murray pinch hit in the seventh and took the first pitch yard for his second home run of the season. It’s his first homer since Feb. 19 against UIC.
Baron Radcliff also hit a solo home run, giving him seven on the year.
Jamie Taylor had his fourth-career hit for a three-RBI triple.
Tech’s bullpen was strong, having Luke Bartnicki, Jake Brace, Walker Barlow and Robert Winborne throw two-hit baseball over the final four innings.