March 11, 2012
ATLANTA – A two run homer by pinch hitter Kennedy Byxbee in the sixth inning was the difference maker as the Georgia Tech softball team fell 3-1 to Virginia, Sunday.
The three-game sweep was the first for the Yellow Jackets in ACC play since April 5-6, 2008 at NC State and first ever at Mewborn Field.
Hope Rush took the loss for the Jackets (15-12, 0-3 ACC), her sixth of the year, pitching all seven innings for Tech, allowing nine hits as well as eight strikeouts.
Both Ashley Thomas and Katie Johnsky had two hits on the day for the Jackets. Thomas scored Tech’s lone run of the day in the third inning.
Virginia (16-5, 3-0 ACC) took the lead in the third inning after loading the bases. A single to left field by Alex Skinkis put a run on the board for the Cavaliers, but Rush worked her way out of the jam getting the next three Virginia batters to strike out.
Tech responded in the bottom half of the frame with a run of its own. Thomas led things off with a single just inside of the left field line. In the next at bat she stole second and then was moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kate Kuzma, who had two sac bunts on the day. A sacrifice fly to left field by Alysha Rudnik brought home Thomas and evened the game at one-all.
In the sixth, however, the pinch hitter Byxbee came through for the Cavaliers on a 3-1 count sending the ball over the right field fence and out of the park for the 3-1 lead and the victory.
The Yellow Jackets will return to action on Wednesday, March 14 with a 7 p.m. non-conference game against rival Georgia at Mewborn Field.
Keep up to date with the Georgia Tech Softball team all season long at www.RamblinWreck.com as well as twitter.com/GaTechSoftball and facebook.com/GTSoftball
