March 8, 2015
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Georgia Tech softball team (10-12, 3-3 ACC) blasted 14 hits, five of them for extra bases, en route to win the series finale, 7-1, and complete the sweep Sunday of the Virginia Cavaliers (4-17, 1-5).
Sophomore Samantha Pierannunzi went 2-for-5 with two runs and two triples, while senior Karly Fullem was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles. Maddie Lionberger went 2-for-3 with two runs and a home run, and teammates Katie Johnsky, Jessica Kowalewicz and Courtney Ziese each had two runs.
“I’m really proud of Kylie [Kleinschmidt],” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “She pitched a three-hitter and limited her walks, and that put us in a position to win. She stepped up in a huge series for us. Hitting is contagious and we did a great job today.
“Samantha Pierannunzi did a great job of getting on base and doing whatever it takes. Katie Johnsky and Maddie Lionberger are seeing the ball really well right now.”
Tech got the ball rolling in the first inning as Chelsie Thomas legged out a bunt single and swiped second. Kowalewicz singled to left, bringing in Thomas to put Tech on the board 1-0.
The Jackets added a pair of runs in the second inning. Lionberger blasted her second home run of the season off the scoreboard in right, and Pierannunzi followed with a triple, scoring on an RBI-single by Johnsky to left.
In the third inning, Pierannunzi smacked another triple with two outs to score Ziese and Lionberger, who both reached base on singles.
Tech tacked on two runs in the fourth thanks to Pierannunzi’s second triple in back-to-back at bats, and Fullem’s second double of the game to make it 7-0.
Virginia got on the board in the bottom of the same frame thanks to a solo home run hit by McKall Miller.
Kleinschmidt (3-6) earned the win, surrendering just one run on three hits with five strikeouts in a complete-game effort.
Andie Formby (4-9) earned the start for Virginia and is the pitcher of record, after allowing five runs on 10 hits in 2.2 innings before her twin sister Alex relieved her to throw the remaining 4.1 innings.
The Jackets are back in action March 11 when they welcome Jacksonville State to Mewborn Field. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.
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