March 2, 2002
Tech vs. McNeese State Box Score
Tech vs. Long Island Box Score
BATON ROUGE, La. – The Georgia Tech softball team (13-4, 0-0 ACC) extended its winning streak to five games Saturday, defeating McNeese State and Long Island at the LSU Purple and Gold Challenge at Tiger Park. Tech topped McNeese State 2-1 in nine innings and downed Long Island, 3-2.
Tech pushed one run across in its half of the first against Long Island. With one out, a walk by third baseman Jamie Frost and singles by shortstop Tara Knudsen and catcher Lindsay Wood loaded the bases. First baseman Katie Donovan then walked to plate Frost and give the Jackets a 1-0 lead.
The Blackbirds responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning, making the score 1-1.
Long Island reclaimed the lead, 2-1, in the fourth inning as designated player Briana Mathiesen scored, while right fielder Leah Sanchez grounded into a double play.
But Tech plated two runs in the top of the fifth, taking a 3-2 lead. Wood doubled with one out and scored on a RBI triple by right fielder Soraya Reddick, tying the game. The Jackets then took the lead, as Reddick scored on a RBI groundout by designated player Mimi Utt.
Sophomore hurler Erin Voeltz was solid in the contest, allowing just four hits and two walks. She also struck out three, as she earned her fourth win of the season.
Knudsen and Wood had two hits each for the Jackets.
The Jackets took the game against McNeese State in dramatic fashion. With one out in the ninth, Wood drew a walk. Freshman Kirin Kumar entered to pinch run and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Reddick. With Kumar on second, McNeese State catcher Katie Trout attempted to pick her off, but the throw sailed into center field, and Kumar came around to score the winning run.
The Cowgirls got on the board first, finally scratching in the top of the sixth. Second baseman Nikki Edlund led off the inning with a single, and she advanced to second on sacrifice bunt by shortstop Jaime Manuel. Edlund then scored on a RBI double by Rikki Fontenot.
Tech responded in its half of the inning, evening the score, 1-1. Center fielder Sara Wissmann singled and advanced to second on a single bunt single by left fielder Tara Neff. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, and Wissmann scored the tying run, beating a throw home as Felicia Coursey reached on a fielder’s choice.
Starter Jessica Sallinger went all nine innings, allowing five hits and one walk. She fanned six to earn her seventh win of the season. Left fielder Tara Neff led the way offensively, going 2-for-3.
The Jackets return to action Sunday when they take on UAB at 1 p.m. and fifth-ranked LSU at 3 p.m. These games were originally slated Friday but were rescheduled due to rain.
-GT-
