Feb. 17, 2016
PANTHERSVILLE, Ga. – The Georgia Tech softball team (0-1) fell in its season opener, 3-2, at Georgia State (1-5) in a hard-fought 12 inning battle at Heck Softball Complex on a cold and windy night. The game ties the longest game in school history – a 12-inning 4-2 loss to North Carolina on March 31, 2007.
How It Happened
The teams took a 0-0 pitcher’s duel into the bottom of the fifth inning when Georgia State broke the ice with a run thanks to an RBI single to center off the bat of Mandy Blackwell.
The Jackets tied it up in the top of the seventh. Jessica Kowalewicz doubled to kick off the inning and moved to third on a passed ball. With one out, a sacrifice fly to left from pinch hitter Courtney Ziese scored Kowalewicz.
In the top of the eighth with one out, Samantha Pierannunzi walked, and Morgan Taylor singled to right. An error by the GSU centerfielder on a fly ball by Maddie Lionberger scored Pierannunzi from second to give Tech a 2-1 lead. GSU tied it up with two outs in the bottom of the eighth to force a ninth inning.
Tied 2-2 in the bottom 12th inning, Georgia State’s Kensey Caldwell took the first pitch over the centerfield wall to give GSU the victory.
Emily Anderson (0-1) suffered the loss and pitched all 11.2 innings, matching her career high of eight strikeouts.
Annie Davis started the game for the Panthers and pitched seven innings before Katie Worley (1-0) entered the game in the eighth to earn the victory.
Quote
“What a well fought game by both teams,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “Emily threw very well to start the year off, so I am excited to see the year she will have. Our team’s fight was the best I’ve seen since coming to a Tech. There are definitely things we can improve on from our first game out and we will get back after it tomorrow. I’m also proud of how we handled ourselves overall in the adverse weather conditions.”
Quick Hits
– Morgan Taylor’s six at bats tie the individual single-game record
– Jessica Kowalewicz went 2-for-5 with a run
– Samantha Pierannunzi was 1-for-4 with a run and two walks
What’s Next
The Jackets kick off the 2016 home slate Feb. 19-21 when Tech hosts Ohio State, Purdue and Syracuse in the inaugural ACC/Big Ten Softball Challenge.
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