ATLANTA (April 9) – Sophomore first-baseman Erin Hawley hit a one-out single and had the game-winning RBI as the Georgia Tech (23-23, 3-3) softball team scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to record a come-from-behind win over #24 East Carolina (43-7, 1-1) in Southern Alliance Softball Association action, 3-2.
The Yellow Jackets began the bottom of the seventh with a pinch-hit single by Lacey Schanz. She then advanced to second on a sacrifice hit by Jamie Frost. Lauren Schwartz followed with an infield single, leaving runners at first and second for Tech. Heather Sumrow then had a sacrifice bunt and reached first on a throwing error by the pitcher, which allowed Schanz to score the tying run. Hawley then laced a shot to left field and Schwartz scored the winning run.
The Pirates scored a run in the top of the third as Jessica Critcher and Keisha Shepperson connected on back-to-back doubles with no outs. East Carolina would also add another run in the top of the fourth when Beth Bridger blasted a lead-off home-run.
The Jackets scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth as Anne Knobbe led off the inning with a double to right field and Lindsay Wood hit a one-out single to left field scoring pinch-runner Jennifer Biggers.
Jamie Smith pitched seven strong innnings for Georgia Tech allowing two runs on seven hits and striking out three. Her record improves to 12-10 on the season. Senior Denise Reagan received the loss for the Pirates as she entered the game in relief in the bottom of the fourth. She allowed two runs on four hits and struck out one falling to 19-3 on the year.
Georgia Tech will face Auburn in a single-game contest at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Glenn Field in Atlanta, Ga.
