April 30, 2016
RALEIGH, N.C. – The Georgia Tech softball team (21-30, 6-13 ACC) used four home runs and 16 hits in a doubleheader split at NC State (22-30, 5-15) on Saturday afternoon. The Jackets fell in game one, 7-5, before winning game two, 7-3.
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“We had a short term memory after the first game,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “It was over and we put it behind us. I thought we hit well in both games, really focusing on scoring runners in scoring position in the second game. Our battery did a great job working well together and our defense got out of some big jams. I’m proud of our resilience and team work today.”
Game 1: NC State 7, Georgia Tech 5
The Wolfpack got on the board 1-0 in the first inning. The Pack loaded the bases with two outs, and a single up the middle brought in a run, before Samantha Pierannunzi fired home from centerfield to get the third out of the inning.
NC State added a run in the third inning on a solo shot to left from Hanna Sommer to take a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth, Maddie Lionberger was hit by a pitch and Kaylee Ellebracht drew a two-out walk. Jessica Kowalewicz’s double to right field scored both runners to tie the game 2-2. Pierannunzi stepped to the plate and crushed a ball over the left center wall for her seventh home run of the season to put Tech in front, 4-2.
NC State countered with a five-run bottom of the fourth to regain the lead, 7-4. In the top of the seventh, Courtney Ziese singled up the middle with one out and scored on a single from Katie Krzus and a Wolfpack error to put Tech within two, 7-5, but the Pack held on to win the game.
Jenna Goodrich (9-16) suffered the loss. NC State starter Courtney Mirabella (13-15) earned the win throwing four innings, while Harli Hubbard earned the save.
Game 2: Georgia Tech 7, NC State 3
Georgia Tech hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning to take a 2-0 lead. With one out, Kelsey Chisholm roped her third of the season, followed by Courtney Ziese who went yard for the 11th time this year.
In the top of the fifth, Draven Sonnon and Kaylee Ellebracht laced back-to-back singles. Jessica Kowalewicz smacked her third long ball of the year to give Georgia Tech a 5-0 advantage.
The Jackets further sealed the deal with two runs on three hits in the sixth inning to take a 7-0 lead. In the bottom of the sixth, the Wolfpack almost got on the board on what would have been a home run, but the Pack was robbed by Pierannunzi’s leaping catch at the wall.
The Pack got on the board on a three-run home run from Meredith Burroughs in the seventh, but the rally wasn’t enough as the Jackets won, 7-3.
Jenna Goodrich (10-16) threw another seven innings with six strikeouts for the win. NC State’s Brittany Nimmo (5-8) suffered the loss after throwing the first four innings of the game.
Quick Hits on The Day
– Samantha Pierannunzi had three hits with a home run and two RBI
– Jessica Kowalewicz went 3-for-6 with two runs, five RBI, a double and a home run
– Courtney Ziese went 2-for-7 with two runs and her 11th home run of the season
– Kelsey Chisholm tallied two hits and a home run
– Kaylee Ellebracht added two runs and a hit
– Katie Krzus had a hit, run and three walks
– Maddie Lionberger and Colleen Darragh each had a hit and run
– Draven Sonnon went 2-for-2 with a run
Up Next
The Jackets and Wolfpack wrap up the series on Sunday with a single game at 12 p.m.
Keep up with Yellow Jacket softball this season by following Georgia Tech Softball on Twitter at @GaTechSoftball, Instagram at @GaTechSoftball and liking Georgia Tech Softball on Facebook.
