April 9, 2016
LAWRENCE, Kan. – On a cold and windy Kansas afternoon, the Georgia Tech softball team’s (16-21) bats were hot, belting 10 hits on its way to an 8-4 victory against the North Texas Mean Green (19-18) at Arrocha Ballpark at Rock Chalk Park. The Jackets wrap up Saturday action against Kansas at approximately 5 p.m. ET.
Quote
I thought we did a great job offensively,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “Sam Pierannunzi has been a mainstay as our leadoff this season and continues to do her job of getting on base. Courtney Ziese and Colleen Darragh are seeing the ball very well lately and making things happen at the plate. I love our demeanor and composure at the plate.”
How It Happened
In the top of the first, Samantha Pierannunzi smacked a leadoff double, her fourth of the season, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on Kelsey Chisholm’s single up the middle. The Mean Green got that run back in the bottom of the same frame to knot the game, 1-1.
Georgia Tech broke the tie in the fourth inning. Courtney Ziese’s leadoff double sparked the Georgia Tech offense. Maddie Lionberger was hit by a pitch and Colleen Darragh singled to load the bases. Draven Sonnon reached on a fielder’s choice, and a Mean Green error on a grounder hit by Kaylee Ellebracht brought in a pair of runs for the Jackets.
In the same inning, Pierannunzi was intentionally walked with two outs to load the bases, but Chisholm was patient at the plate and drew a walk of her own to bring in Sonnon and give Georgia Tech a 4-1 lead.
Four outfield singles in a row by Ziese, Lionberger, Darragh and Sonnon to kick off the fifth inning made it a 6-1 game in Georgia Tech’s favor. With the bases loaded and one out, Pierannunzi drew another walk to push an additional run across to make it 7-1.
The Mean Green loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth with two outs and managed to score a run before Georgia Tech got out of the jam.
Ziese ripped a solo shot off the scoreboard in left for her seventh long ball of the season, giving Georgia Tech an 8-2 lead. The Mean Green didn’t give up, scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but the Jackets held on for the 8-4 win.
Jenna Goodrich (6-8) earned the win, allowing four runs, one earned on five hits. North Texas starter Stacey Underwood (6-9) suffered the loss after throwing four innings with four runs on four hits. Lauren Craine pitched three innings of relief and gave up four runs on six hits.
Quick hits
– Pierannunzi has reached base in eight straight games, and went 1-for-3 with two walks, a double and a run
– Ziese went 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI, double and home run
– Lionberger went 1-for-3 with a pair of runs
– Darragh went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI
– Sonnon went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI
– Jessica Kowalewicz added a hit for the Yellow Jackets
– The Jackets out hit the Mean Green, 10-5
Keep up with Yellow Jacket softball this season by following Georgia Tech Softball on Twitter at @GaTechSoftball, Instagram at @GaTechSoftball and liking Georgia Tech Softball on Facebook.
