February 24, 2019

Tech Falls in Game 3, Loses Series to UCLA

Final Box (.pdf) | Final Box (.html)

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech baseball was held scoreless for the first time this season, falling to No. 3 UCLA 6-0 on Sunday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium.

The 19th-ranked Yellow Jackets (3-3) were once again plagued by cold bats as the third-ranked Bruins (6-1) held them to four hits for the second-straight game, compared to UCLA’s 12.

Despite the loss, sophomore Brant Hurter (0-1) had a fine start, dealing seven strikeouts, no walks and just one earned run allowed in five innings. UCLA’s Jesse Bergin (2-0) grabbed his second win of the season with 6.0 shutout innings, four strikeouts and just two hits.

Junior Kyle McCann once again led Tech at the plate, going 1-for-3 and smashing a double to right center. Austin Wilhite, Oscar Serratos and Nick Wilhite also all recorded hits on the day.

The Bruins’ reached double-digit hits for the second-straight time this weekend. Jake Pries led with a game-high three hits, while Michael Toglia, Jeremy Ydens, Ryan Kreidler and Jake Hirabayashi all recorded extra-base hits.

Tech displayed its pitching depth by throwing six pitchers in relief on Sunday. The Jackets got effective outings from Jonathan Hughes (2.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 K) and Hugh Chapman (0.1 IP, 0 H), who came in to escape a bases-loaded jam. UCLA once again threw Nate Hadley, Kyle Mora and Holden Powell in relief, allowing just two hits in three innings.

The Yellow Jackets continue play this week with home-and-home, back-to-back action with Georgia State. Tech hosts the Panthers on Tuesday, Feb. 26 before traveling to GSU on Wednesday, Feb. 27. Both games are scheduled for 4 p.m. first pitches.

Postgame Notes

Despite hitting woes over the final two games of the series, Austin Wilhite and Kyle McCann put together strong at-bats the entire weekend. Wilhite finished 3-for-10 with a double and an RBI. McCann finished 3-for-10 as well with a double and the walk-off home run in Game 1, scoring twice overall.