May 13, 2016
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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – A pair of two-run extra-base hits in the fourth inning was all Virginia would need Friday night as the 12th-ranked Cavaliers held off the 19th-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 6-3 at Davenport Field.
Georgia Tech (32-17, 11-13 ACC) suffered its fourth straight loss in Charlottesville. Virginia (32-17, 14-10 ACC) pulled away behind the complete-game six-hitter by Connor Jones, who improved to 10-1 on the season. Tech’s Brandon Gold (6-3) was dealt the loss, allowing six runs on 10 hits in 5.1 innings.
Friday’s series opener featured a 15-minute delay after home plate umpire Jacob Asher suffered an injury after a foul ball hit his left wrist. It was the second straight Brandon Gold start that featured a game-stopping injury to a home plate umpire.
THE BASICS
• Georgia Tech leads the series 71-52-2 and is 26-31 all-time in Charlottesville.
• The Yellow Jackets have lost four straight at Virginia and is 6-15 in Charlottesville since sweeping the Cavaliers at Davenport Field in 2003.
• Georgia Tech is now 10-8 on the road, including a 5-7 mark in ACC play.
• Georgia Tech is 18-4 when scoring first this season, including a 15-3 record when scoring in the 1st inning.
• Georgia Tech is 14-5 this season in games decided by three runs or fewer.
• Georgia Tech is 3-15 when trailing after the 6th inning.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Georgia Tech opened the game with three hits in its first four at bats of the 1st inning. With runners in scoring position, Kel Johnson blistered a 2-run double off the wall in center for a 2-0 Tech lead.
• After three innings with no answer for Brandon Gold, the Virginia Cavaliers took a 4-2 lead in the 4th. All four runs came with two outs as Adam Haseley hit a 2-run double off the base of the wall in right and Charlie Cody followed with a 2-run home run to left-center.
• Virginia tagged Gold for runs in the 5th and 6th to extend its lead to 6-2. Pavin Smith’s RBI single to center gave the Cavaliers a 5-2 lead in the 5th, while Haseley’s solo shot in the 6th gave UVA a four-run cushion.
• Georgia Tech was able to scratch a run back in the 7th to cut Virginia’s lead in half, 6-3. With two on and one out, Connor Justus skied a fly ball to right-center. Ryan Peurifoy scored on the sacrifice fly – Tech’s first run since the 1st inning.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Sophomore 2B Wade Bailey extended his hit streak to four games, going 2-for-4. It was Bailey’s 17th multi-hit game of the season.
• Junior SS Connor Justus went 1-for-3 with an RBI and has now reached base safely in 17 consecutive games.
• Sophomore OF Kel Johnson went 1-for-3 with two RBI and extended his hit streak to four games. He leads the team with 11 multi-RBI games this season.
• Freshman 1B Tristin English recorded his 17th multi-hit game of the season, finishing 2-for-3.
• Georgia Tech turned its NCAA-leading 66th double play of the season.
UP NEXT
Game 2 of No. 19 Georgia Tech’s series with No. 12 Virginia continues Saturday at Davenport Field. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. on WREK 91.1 FM.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GTBaseball), Facebook (facebook.com/GTbaseball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
