ATLANTA (Mar. 21) – The Georgia Tech softball team continued its winning ways by capturing its third-straight victory in a 4-0 decision over Arkansas on Wednesday afternoon at Glenn Field in Atlanta, Ga.
The Yellow Jackets (15-10) got the only run they would need on the day in the bottom of the first inning, as junior Jamie Frost scored on an RBI double by Erin Hawley to give Tech a 1-0 advantage. Frost led off the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Ellen Styer. Hawley was the next batter, and she laced Arkansas starter Heather Schlichtman’s 0-1 offering into the gap in right-center field.
The Razorbacks’ (15-15) best chance to answer Tech’s run came in the top of the next inning as Nicole Deeter and Julie Young drew back-to-back one-out walks and moved up a base on a single by Stephanie Hunter. Deeter attempted to score on the play from second but was cut down at the plate on a strong throw by Tech center fielder Sara Wissmann that reached catcher Tasha Waugh ahead of Deeter’s slide.
After being retired in order in the second inning, Tech came back to finish out the day’s scoring in the bottom of the third inning as the Jackets plated three runs in the frame. After Frost recorded a one-out single and was followed by Styer, who reached on an error, Hawley was once again the hero as she turned in an RBI single to right field and moved to second on the throw. With a pair of runners in scoring position, Arkansas catcher Danica Howlett was unable to handle second baseman Cortney Mitchell’s throw home and both Styer and Hawley scored, while Waugh reached base on the error, to give Tech the decisive 4-0 lead. Hawley was Tech*s top hitter, as she finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBI and a run scored.
Yellow Jacket starter Erin Voeltz (7-6) continued her strong performances of late as she went the distance in recording her second solo shutout in as many games. Voeltz limited the Razorbacks’ offense to three hits, while recording five strikeouts. Schlichtman (12-7) took the loss for Arkansas after allowing six hits and four runs, only two of which were earned, while striking out five Tech hitters.
Tech will return to action this weekend, when it hosts the ninth annual Buzz Classic at the Al Bishop Softball Complex in Marietta, Ga. The Jackets will open pool play at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 23, when they face Tennessee-Martin, and will be back in action at 8:00 p.m. against Illinois-Chicago. Full tournament information is available on the Yellow Jackets official website, www.ramblinwreck.com.
