March 12, 2017
THE FLATS – For the third consecutive game, the Georgia Tech softball team (8-15, 2-4 ACC) and Notre Dame (11-10, 1-2 ACC) battled to extra innings, but it was the Fighting Irish that prevailed in the series finale, 8-6, through eight innings on Sunday at Mewborn Field.
Quote
“It would have been nice to win that game.” Head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “What we can take away from this weekend is that we know we’re a good team. We showed that and again, our resilience coming back in extra innings again. I thought overall it was a great game. It has been a great series with Notre Dame, they’re a really good team, they’re well coached.
“I think we did a good job cashing runners in in key situations. Overall I’m proud of the team and proud of the series that we played. We saw what we could be and what we’re really made of.”
How It Happened
Colleen Darragh hit a two-run home run in the second that scored Rebecca Prairie, who reached on an error, to make it a 2-0 game.
After Notre Dame hit a pair of two-run bombs, one in the third and one in the fifth, Darragh struck again with her third home run of the weekend and second of the game to plate Rachael Bonitatibus, who ran for Prairie after she singled to reach base, knotting the game at 4-4.
In the top of the eighth, Notre Dame’s offense came alive with two hits and a walk to set up a grand slam for Morgan Reed, who made it an 8-4 game.
In the bottom of the frame, Drew Puckett drew a lead-off pinch-hit walk and Kelsey Chisholm produced with a two-run home run to left to cut Notre Dame’s lead to 8-6. Tech put runners on first and second thanks to walks by Samantha Pierannunzi and Malea Bell, but the Irish held on for the win.
Emily Anderson (1-6) was pinned with the loss and pitched all eight innings after throwing nine innings in her win in game one yesterday.
Notre Dame reliever Rachel Nasland (5-4) earned the win, throwing five innings with four runs on four hits and six walks.
Quick Hits
– The Jackets played three consecutive extra-inning games for the first time since 2001 when Tech play three games that went to eight innings March 8-7, 2001.
– The game is the fourth this season where Tech hit at least three home runs and the seventh game this season where Tech has hit at least two long balls.
– Darragh and Prairie had a pair of hits.
– Offensive production came throughout the lineup with seven of the nine hitters recording at least one hit.
Next Up
The Jackets have a busy week with midweek match ups against SEMO on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and Georgia on Wednesday at 7 p.m., then host Syracuse for three games March 17-19.
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