March 6, 2011
WOODSTOCK, Ga. – Sophomore Hope Rush hit two home runs and junior Kelsi Weseman added another as the Georgia Tech softball team (12-4) beat UAB (13-7), 8-0, Sunday night at the Buzz Classic. The Yellow Jackets’ second game against Penn State was re-scheduled for Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and will be played at Kennesaw State.
The Yellow Jackets had eight hits in the game, including two by freshman Ashley Thomas. Senior Kristen Adkins (6-2) got the win as she allowed just three hits over five shutout innings. Adkins walked two and struck out four. Rush pitched the final two frames and struck out two batters.
The Yellow Jackets struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. Freshman Ashley Thomas got it going with a one-out single and after stealing second base she was safe at third on a ground ball hit by senior Christy Jones. After Jones stole second base, junior Kate Kuzma drove them both in with a sharp single to left field.
Tech added a run in the fourth inning but it could have been a lot worse. Sophomore Hope Rush led off the frame with a solo home run, her third of the season. The Jackets then loaded the bases with nobody out but were unable to score any more. It looked like Tech did on a Kuzma sac fly, but after a UAB appeal junior Shannon Bear was called out.
The Jackets added to the lead via the long in the fifth inning and knocked Streetman from the game. Junior Kelsi Weseman led off with an opposite field homer to left-center, her fourth of the season. Then two batters later, Rush hit her second of the game, a two-run opposite field homer to right-center and that brought the new UAB pitcher, Alisha Smith, into the game.
Tech added a pair of runs in the top of the seventh as senior Kristine Priebe reached on an error and scored on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, freshman Alysha Rudnik scored on a ground out by junior Shannon Bear.
Georgia Tech was scheduled to play Penn State as well tonight but with a field at Twin Creeks unplayable due to all of the rain, another game was moved over. The Yellow Jackets and Nittany Lions will now play on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Bailey Park on the campus of Kennesaw State. Penn State and Tech are also scheduled to meet at Mewborn Field next weekend as part of the Springhill Suites Buckhead Classic. Live audio and stats will be available at RamblinWreck.com. The Yellow Jackets will host top-ranked Alabama at Mewborn Field on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Live video, audio and stats will be available at RamblinWreck.com.
Follow Georgia Tech Softball all season at www.Twitter.com/GaTechSoftball and on Facebook.
