Feb. 8, 2017
| GT Game Notes • 2017 Information Guide |
| #SwarmSanJuan Blog • Tournament Central |
| Georgia Tech vs. California Thursday, Feb. 9 • 2 p.m. ET • Donna Terry Stadium Live Stats |
| vs. Illinois Friday, Feb. 10 • 11:30 a.m. ET • Puerto Rican National Stadium Live Stats |
| vs. California Saturday, Feb. 11 • 9 a.m. ET • Donna Terry Stadium Live Stats |
| vs. Illinois Saturday, Feb. 11 • 11:30 a.m. ET • Puerto Rican National Stadium Live Stats |
| vs. North Carolina Sunday, Feb. 12 • 8 a.m. ET • Puerto Rican National Stadium Live Stats |
THE FLATS – The Georgia Tech softball team opens its 2017 season Feb. 9-12 at the Puerto Rico Tournament hosted by Puerto Rico College Sports Tours. The Jackets will face California, Illinois and North Carolina for a total of five games. Live stats will be available for every game, and the tournament hosts intend to live stream all of the games depending on internet connectivity at the fields.
2016 Season Review
Georgia Tech finished with an overall record of 22-33, and 7-16 in ACC play. It marks a six-game improvement in Tech’s overall record from a year ago, and a one-game improvement in the ACC record from 2015.
Improved from 2015 in several categories:
ERA (4.90 to 4.21)
Hits (280 to 323)
Doubles (48 to 50)
Total bases (449 to 479)
Sacrifice hits (33 to 41)
Stolen bases/Attempts (24-29 to 45/55)
– Head Coach Shelly Hoerner earned her 500 career head-coaching victory on Feb. 27 against Southern Utah.
– Courtney Ziese was named to the All-ACC second team; marking her first All-ACC selection and the 15th consecutive year the Jackets have had an All-ACC honoree.
– Samantha Pierannunzi now holds the single-game record for at bats after tallying seven at bats at Syracuse (April 2).
– Emily Anderson has pitched the most innings in a single game in Georgia Tech history after throwing 12.2 innings at Syracuse (April 2).
– The Yellow Jackets broke the longest game record in school history. In Georgia Tech’s season-opener at Georgia State on Feb. 17, the Jackets and Panthers battled for 12 innings, tying the record. On April 2, Tech fell at Syracuse 8-7 in 13 innings to mark the longest game in school history.
– The Jackets played seven extra-inning games; five of which went to 10+ innings. It’s the most extra-inning games Tech has played in a single season since 2003 when the Jackets played nine extra-inning games.
2017 Preview
The Jackets return seven position starters that accounted for 68.5% of Tech’s run production and 65.9% of Tech’s hits from a season ago.
Tech returns both starting pitchers and adds depth in the circle with two freshmen – LHP Brooke Barfield, No. 22 on FloSoftball’s Hot 100 List in 2016, and RHP Lisa Higgins.
The Jackets add eight new faces to the field outside of the circle, including three catchers to spell sophomore catcher Kaylee Ellebracht, who caught all but three games a season ago.
Playing in Puerto Rico
The Yellow Jackets make their first trip to Puerto Rico in program history to open the 2017 season. It marks the first in-season trip outside of the continental United States for the program.
Against the Opponents
The Jackets are looking for their first win against California as the Bears lead the all-time series 3-0. The last time the two teams met was on Feb. 22, 2013 in Cathedral City, Calif. and the Bears won 8-0 (6).
Tech leads the all-time series against Illinois, 3-2. The Jackets last faced the Fighting Illini on Feb. 24, 2013 in Cathedral City, Calif. and Tech won 1-0.
The Jackets meeting with North Carolina is the 73rd meeting in a series that UNC narrowly leads 38-34. A win against the Tar Heels would be the first for Tech since April 12, 2014.
Keep up with the Yellow Jackets this season by following Georgia Tech Softball on Twitter at @GaTechSoftball, Instagram at @GaTechSoftball and liking Georgia Tech Softball on Facebook.
