March 15, 2002
TROY, Ala. – Paced by a 7-3 win in game one, the Georgia Tech softball team (19-7, 0-0 ACC) split a doubleheader at Troy State Wednesday at the Lady Trojan Complex. The Lady Trojans took the second game, 7-0.
The Jackets jumped on the board in the first inning of game one, as second baseman Felicia Coursey led off with a double to right center. Shortstop Tara Knudsen, the reigning ACC Player of the Week, was intentionally walked, which was followed by a walk to catcher Lindsey Wood to load the bases. A single by center fielder Sara Wissmann scored Coursey from third, and a RBI single by Jamie Frost then plated Knudsen, giving Tech an early 2-0 lead.
Troy State responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the first. Third baseman Mindy Porep scored from third on a delayed steal, as right fielder Erica Cruzat was caught in a rundown between first and second base.
The Trojans equaled the score in the bottom of the sixth. Shortstop Kami Marrott scored from third, as second baseman Erin Flater sent one down the third base line and beat the throw to first, tying the score at two.
But Tech bounced back and broke the game open in its half of the seventh. Coursey walked to leadoff the inning and beat the throw to second on left fielder Kirin Kumar’s sacrifice bunt. Both Coursey and Kumar advanced on a wild pitch, and Knudsen was then intentionally walked for the third time of the game with first base open. Wood then singled off TSU reliever Christi Curran, scoring both Coursey and Kumar. After a Wissmann strikeout, right fielder Soraya Reddick hit an opposite-field home run, sending the ball over the right field fence and giving Tech a 7-2 lead. The homer was Reddick’s first of the season.
Troy State tacked on a run in the bottom of the seventh, making the final score 7-3.
Yellow Jacket starter Tiffany Goodman (4-1) pitched a solid game, scattering 10 hits and allowing three runs. She struck out three and walked two, while going the distance.
Offensively, the Jackets were led by Frost, who went 3-for-4 with a RBI. Wood had a pair of runs batted in, while Reddick plated three.
In the second game, Troy State posted a run in the first inning. After leading off the inning with a double, Marrott scored from third as a throw to second by catcher Erin Glantz sailed into center field, giving the Trojans a 1-0 lead.
The Trojans extended their lead to 4-0 in the third, as catcher Tamra Howren launched a three-run homer, her fifth the season, to left center.
Troy State put the game out of reach with three runs in the bottom of the sixth, making the final count 7-0. The game was called following the sixth due to darkness.
Sophomore Erin Voeltz allowed nine hits and five earned runs, taking the loss. Her record falls to 6-3.
Tech managed just three hits off TSU starter Cassie Wilkenson, who improved to 8-1 with the win.
The Jackets return to action when they host Princeton Sunday for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Glenn Field.
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