LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Georgia Tech softball (18-9, 2-7 ACC) nearly silenced Louisville (17-10, 1-2 ACC) at the plate on the way to a 2-1 win over the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon at Ulmer Stadium. The victory clinched the first ACC series win for the Yellow Jackets this season, also marking the first series triumph for the White and Gold over Louisville in program history.
Graduate first baseman Tricia Awald cranked a solo bomb for her fourth dinger of the year to put Tech on the board, and freshman second baseman Grace Connelly made her way home following a double in the seventh to secure the win.
In the circle, junior Blake Neleman and freshman Sophia Voyles locked down the Cards. Neleman tossed two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit, before Voyles took over to claim her second win on the year by way of five innings pitched with five strikeouts and one run allowed.
In line with games one and two, the rubber match was controlled from the circle early on, resulting in three scoreless innings. In the top of the fourth, Awald broke a no-hitter for the Cardinals, giving the Jackets the edge with a solo moon shot over right center.
Tech kept the Louisville bats quiet for the next few innings, adding one more security run in the top of the seventh. Connelly slapped a leadoff double off the wall, coming home shortly after on a sacrifice bunt to move the Jackets ahead 2-0.
The Cardinals would make things interesting with two down in the bottom of the final frame with a solo home run, but Voyles closed out the inning to secure Tech’s 2-1 win and series victory over Louisville.
Game Notes
- With the victory, Tech picked up its first ACC series win of the season, first series win over Louisville in program history and third road victory over the Cardinals all time.
- The one-run win marked the narrowest margin of victory for the Yellow Jackets this season.
- Tech now owns eight victories of three runs or less on the year.
- Awald went yard for the fourth time this season, good for second on the squad. She now owns 40 home runs through her decorated career.
- In the circle, Voyles made her fifth appearance on the season as she picked up her second career win.
- Voyles’ five strikeouts nearly matched her single-game career high of six as she’s up to 13 on the year.
Up Next
The Yellow Jackets will return home for their next contest, hosting a doubleheader against Dartmouth on Tuesday beginning at 3 p.m. at Mewborn Field. The games will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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