April 6, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – With an 8-5 win over North Carolina in the nightcap, the Georgia Tech softball team (37-9, 6-0 ACC) extended its winning streak to 10 games and moved to 2-0 in the 2002 Tar Heel Invitational at the UNC Softball Complex. The Jackets defeated Maryland, 5-1, earlier in the day.
Tech is within one win of its single-season victory mark of 38 set in 1991.
A first-inning, bases loaded single by third baseman Jamie Frost got Tech on the board against the Terps. After a double by shortstop Tara Knudsen and walks to designated player Lindsay Wood and right fielder Soraya Reddick, Frost singled to right field. Knudsen came home, giving the Jackets a 1-0 lead.
Tech added to its lead in the third, as Knudsen started the rally again with her second double of the game. She came home on a single to right by Wood, who moved up to second on the throw home. Reddick reached on a bunt single and took second as the throw sailed past first base. The error allowed Wood to score on the play. Reddick scored on a double by catcher Tasha Waugh to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Jackets tacked on a run in the fifth, as a RBI single by Felicia Coursey scored Frost from second, giving the Jackets a 5-0 lead.
Maryland attempted to make things interesting in the bottom of the seventh, but only was able to score one run, making final count 5-1.
Tech starter Tiffany Goodman earned her seventh win in impressive fashion. She allowed just one run on eight hits and one walk, while striking out four. Goodman is now 7-1 on the season.
Knudsen led the Jackets with two hits against the Terps. Tech is now 4-0 this year against Maryland.
The Jackets carried their momentum into the game with North Carolina, scoring five runs and batting around in the top of the first. A pair of the runs were unearned, as the Tar Heels made two errors in the inning. Tech had only two hits in the frame – RBI singles by Reddick and left fielder Tara Neff. UNC starter Shannon Walsh was chased after retiring just one batter.
Tech tacked on three more runs in its half of the sixth. Mimi Utt, who entered at first base in the third, singled to start the rally. Donovan then doubled to right center. Utt advanced to third on the double and then scored as the throw home sailed to the backstop. Knudsen sent her third homer of the last two days over the left center field fence to score Donovan and give the Jackets an 8-0 advantage. Knudsen now has 12 homers this season.
The Tar Heel bats came alive in the sixth, plating five runs in the frame. The key hit was a three-run homer off the bat of catcher Natalie Anter that cut the lead to 8-5.
Freshman Jessica Sallinger entered in the seventh and fanned the side to record her third save of the season.
Starter Erin Voeltz moves to 13-4 with the win. She allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits and no walks. She had six strikeouts.
Offensively, Donovan, Reddick and Utt each had two hits against the Tar Heels.
The tournament continues Sunday, as Tech faces Virginia at 10 a.m. followed by the championship and consolation games at 2 p.m.
-GT-
