Feb. 22, 2008
South Carolina Box Score | Hofstra Box Score | Updated Stats
ATLANTA – The Georgia Tech Softball Team (4-7) was shut out in consecutive games for the first time since 2003 as it fell to South Carolina (1-0) and Hofstra (4-0) Friday morning at the USF Louisville Slugger Tournament. Tech lost game one despite out-hitting the Gamecocks 6-4. Senior Whitney Humphreys allowed just one unearned run and the Yellow Jackets had two runners thrown out at home plate.
No. 12 Florida State shut out the Jackets 4-0 and 6-0 in a doubleheader on May 4, 2003.
In game one against South Carolina, the Gamecocks loaded the bases in the first inning on a single, walk and hit batsman but Tech senior pitcher Whitney Humphreys got Becky Martinez to ground out to Tiffany Johnson at third base ending the inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, senior Aileen Morales led off with a single and then stole second base. It was her 110th career stolen base tying Laura Williams for the Georgia Tech all-time record.
Humphreys continued her strong pitching as she held the Gamecocks scoreless through the first four innings, but the Tech offense was held in check by South Carolina pitcher Melissa Hendon. The Jackets had three hits in the first three innings, but were unable to break the scoreless game.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Jackets had a chance to score but a big defensive play by the Gamecocks kept the game scoreless. Junior Whitney Haller led off the inning with a single and was on second base with two outs after a single by junior Tiffany Johnson with two outs. Freshman Jessica Weaver then singled sharply into left field, but Adele Voigt’s throw home was able to nail Haller at the plate and keep it a 0-0 game.
Despite out-hitting South Carolina, it was the Gamecocks who scored the games’ only run in the top of the sixth inning. Jill Semento led off the inning with a double, went to third on a passed ball and scored on a sac fly off the bat of P.J. Fullmer. The run was unearned.
Hendon shut the Jackets down in the sixth and seventh innings to preserve the shutout. She scattered six hits and had one walk and seven strikeouts while retiring the last eight Tech batters in order.
Humphreys (1-3) took the loss despite not allowing an earned run in her six innings of work. She gave up four hits and five walks while striking out three. Junior Tiffany Johnson pitched a perfect seventh. Senior Becky McCraw made a couple of spectacular defensive plays at second base.
Game two saw Hofstra strike first for a run in the bottom of the first inning against Tech freshman pitcher Stephanie Morris. Kris Root worked a one-out walk and then stole second base. With two outs, she scored on a RBI single by Pam Dreslinski.
The Pride added another run in the third inning to make it a 2-0 game. Kris Root reached on an infield bunt single and stole second base. Casey Fee walked and Root tried to steal third base, but was gunned down by Tech freshman catcher Jessica Weaver. Fee came around to score, however, on a RBI double to left-center field by Dreslinski.
The frustrations continued for the Jackets in the fourth. Junior Blair Shimandle doubled with one out, but a couple of nice plays Hofstra shortstop Dreslinski kept Tech off the scoreboard. Then in the fifth, Tech tried to mount a two-out rally. McCraw singled and tried to go to third base on a single by senior Stephanie Butler but was thrown out.
With the Jackets unable to score anything off Hofstra pitcher Sara Michalowski, the Pride broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth. They got a couple runners on via infield singles and a RBI single by Fee and sac fly from Dreslinski made it a 4-0 game heading to the sixth.
Tech had one last chance in the seventh. It got off to a good start as Haller led off with a double, but senior pinch runner Kelly Eppinger was stranded there and the Jackets were shut out for the second time today.
Morris (2-2) suffered the loss as she allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks. She struck out three batters. Michalowski scattered five hits, did not walk a batter and fanned four.
The round-robin tournament continues through Sunday at the University of South Florida Softball Stadium. The Yellow Jackets will play Wisconsin (4:00 PM) and Wright State (8:00 PM) tomorrow before closing out the weekend against South Florida on Sunday (2:00 PM).
Live stats for every Tech game will be available via the Gametracker link at www.ramblinwreck.com. There will also be live streaming video of every game from the tournament courtesy of South Florida. Fans can purchase a one-month subscription for $9.95. For more information or to order, you can visit www.gousfbulls.com.
