Feb. 15, 2008
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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Georgia Tech Softball Team (3-4) split a pair of games today on the first day of the Hampton Inn Crimson Classic. Freshman Amanda Crow’s first career hit was the game-winning RBI single as the Yellow Jackets rallied to beat Middle Tennessee State (1-4) 2-1 to begin the day, but New Mexico (3-1) pitcher Kelly Ninemire tossed a six-hit shutout in the nightcap as the Lobos edged the Jackets 1-0.
The game with Middle Tennessee State was scoreless until the top of the sixth inning when the Blue Raiders struck for an unearned run off Tech freshman pitcher Stephanie Morris. The Jackets responded with a two-run bottom of the sixth inning to take the lead for good. Junior Whitney Haller started it off with a double down the left-field line. Pinch runner Kelly Eppinger tied the game two batters later when Blair Shimandle tripled into the right-center field gap. Crow followed with a RBI single into left field plating Shimandle with the eventual winning run. It was Crow’s first career hit and RBI.
In the top of the seventh inning, Morris (2-0) worked around a one-out single to preserve her second straight win. She scattered seven hits and two walks while striking out six.
In the second game, New Mexico scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning off Tech senior pitcher Whitney Humphreys and Ninemire made it stand. The jackets had six hits in the game, but stranded nine runners, including seven in the first three innings.
The Jackets’ best chance for the equalizer came in the fourth. Freshman Jessica Weaver led off the inning with a double. Junior Tiffany Johnson then ripped a single into center field, but it was hit so hard that Weaver had to hold up at third. Ninemire was able to keep the Jackets from tying the game, however, on a pair of strikeouts and a ground out.
Tech tried to mount a two-out rally in the sixth as well, but could not scratch across the tying run. With two outs, Johnson walked. Senior Becky McCraw then blooped a single into right field allowing Johnson to move to third, but senior Stephanie Butler grounded out to end the inning.
Humphreys (1-2) took the tough loss allowing an unearned run and just four hits in six innings. She walked two and struck out two.
Tech closes out pool play against No. 2/2 Alabama on Saturday at 2:00 PM ET. Championship round games will begin Saturday night and go through Sunday. Live audio and stats of each Tech game this weekend will be available at www.ramblinwreck.com.
