Feb. 19, 2017
THE FLATS –.Junior Malea Bell blasted a two-run home run in the fifth inning to score what would be the winning run in the Georgia Tech (3-7) softball team’s 6-5 victory against Iowa (2-7) on the final day of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Sunday.
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“I think we’re being consistent and that’s the time coach DeLong is putting in with our hitters,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “We’re having better discipline at the plate, obviously, with six walks. Sam came through in a clutch situation and she’s seeing the ball really well right now.
“We’re competing. I believe our competitiveness really showed when Brooke took the mound and shut them down. I can’t ask for anything else, especially from a freshman. I think we’re seeing really good things, we just have to continue to put in the time.”
How It Happened
After Iowa scored a run in the opening frame, the Jackets loaded the bases in the second inning thanks to singles by Karissa Arnold and Kaylee Ellebracht and a walk by Draven Sonnon. With two outs, Samantha Pierannunzi stepped to the plate and smacked a bases-clearing double to center to give Tech a 3-1 lead.
Junior Kendall Chadwick made it 4-1 when she rocked a shot over the left field wall for her first career home run. Iowa closed the gap to one, 4-3, with a two-run third inning.
The Jackets fought back in the fifth inning. Pierannunzi drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jessica Kowalewicz. That’s when Bell stepped into the box and took the offering over the left field wall to give Tech a 6-4 lead.
Iowa scored one run in each of the fifth and sixth innings to make it, 6-5. The Jackets headed to the bottom of the seventh with a one-run lead and freshman Brooke Barfield delivered two strikeouts in the circle to help Tech seal the deal.
Tech starter Jenna Goodrich (2-2) earned the win after pitching five innings with five strikeouts. Barfield earned the save, pitching two scoreless innings with three strikeouts and a hit.
Iowa starter Allison Doocy (1-3) suffered the loss after throwing 2.2 innings and alloing three runs on three hits before Elizabeth Wiegand entered the game in relief. Weigand threw 4.1 innings with three runs on two hits.
Quick Hits
– All five of Tech’s hits came from different players
– Tech hit two home runs and a double in the win
– Pierannunzi and Bell combined for five of Tech’s six RBI
– All six runs came from different players
– All six walks came from different players
Up Next
The Jackets are back in action at home on Wednesday at 4 p.m. against Jacksonville State.
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