March 18, 2015
THE FLATS – The No. 8 Georgia softball team defeated Georgia Tech, 14-0, in five innings Wednesday night at Mewborn Field. The Bulldogs improved to 25-5 on the season and the Jackets fell to 11-16 overall.
“Every pitch has to be our best and we can’t give up on any batter at any time,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “We’re not sharp defensively. We have to make the plays that are routine and we’re not doing that right now. We didn’t make adjustments and you don’t win ball games that way.”
The Bulldogs scored six runs through the first two innings and never looked back, plating at least one run in every inning except the third. Alex Hugo had two home runs to bring in eight of the Bulldogs’ 14 runs.
The Jackets put two runners on base in the second inning as Courtney Ziese was hit by a pitch and Karly Fullem reached on a fielder’s choice, but Tech was unable to cash in the runners. Fullem reached base again in the fifth inning on a Georgia throwing error, but was stranded on second base.
Georgia Tech used three pitchers in the loss with reliever Christina Biggerstaff striking out five batters in 2.2 innings pitched.
Starter Kylie Kleinschmidt (3-10) absorbed the loss, pitching 2.0 innings with six runs, four earned, on four hits. Biggerstaff threw the next 2.2 innings and Emily Anderson entered the game to throw the remaining 0.1 innings.
Georgia starter Chelsea Wilkinson (14-4) earned the victory throwing 4.0 innings with four strikeouts. Brittany Gray pitched a scoreless, hitless fifth frame.
The Jackets resume ACC play Saturday and Sunday with a three-game series at Notre Dame. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. and the series finale Sunday is set for 12 p.m.
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