DURHAM, N.C. – Georgia Tech softball (24-24, 6-15 ACC) dropped to No. 10 Duke (40-8, 16-5 ACC) in the final road contest of the regular season, 6-2, to close out the weekend series on Sunday at Duke Softball Stadium. The Yellow Jackets drew even in the top of the third and added a run in their final opportunity at the plate, but were unable to keep pace throughout the contest.
Freshman catcher Reese Hunter led the Jacket bats through the day, going 2-for-3 with a solo shot for her third dinger of her young career. Sophomore center fielder Ella Edgmon scored the White and Gold’s first run of the contest, scampering home from second on a sac fly.
In the circle, senior hurlers Chandler Dennis and Blake Neleman split time evenly. Dennis (13-8) got the start and received the loss, allowing three runs on four hits with a pair of strikeouts through her three innings pitched. Neleman tossed the remaining three frames, surrendering three runs on two hits.
How it Happened
The Blue Devils climbed aboard in their first opportunity at the plate, driving in the initial run of the game on an RBI single.
The Yellow Jackets drew back even in the top of the third, thanks in large part to sophomore center fielder Ella Edgmon. The speedster drew a leadoff walk, stealing second soon after and making it all the way home on a sac fly to tie the game at one apiece.
Duke responded in the bottom half, knocking a two-run homer to regain the lead. The Blue Devils followed with a three-run blast in the bottom of the fourth, extending their advantage to 6-1.
After a quiet two innings, Tech took a run back once down to its final two innings on Hunter’s solo smash. Duke would close out the inning from there, coming away with a 6-2 win.
Game Notes
- Hunter’s bomb marked her third of the season and her career.
- The Yellow Jackets scored seven of their eight runs through the series on home runs, barreling five big flies.
Up Next
Georgia Tech will conclude the regular season with its final ACC series, hosting North Carolina (21-25, 9-9 ACC) over the weekend with the series opener on Friday at 6 p.m. at Mewborn Field. The first game of the series will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.
Multimedia
🥎𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐀𝐘🥎
🆚 #⃣🔟 Duke
⏰ Noon
📍 Durham, N.C.
🏟️ Duke Softball Stadium
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📊 https://t.co/2eZBKKy5RA#BeGold x #404Institute pic.twitter.com/O0FOtsTv8i— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) April 23, 2023
Big one 🆚 the Blue Devils 🔜
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📊 https://t.co/2eZBKKy5RA#BeGold x #404Institute pic.twitter.com/DVgX0NG4By— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) April 23, 2023
Grace stays ready to risk it all on every play 🫡
📺 ACC Network Extra
💻 https://t.co/KxS5coh2RJ#BeGold x #404Institute x @NCAASoftball x #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/EDyycK5Iv6— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) April 23, 2023
Ella on the move 🏃♀️💨
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💻 https://t.co/KxS5coh2RJ#BeGold x #404Institute pic.twitter.com/amsS6PJfmT— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) April 23, 2023
🙇♀️🙇♀️🙇♀️
📺 ACC Network Extra
💻 https://t.co/KxS5coh2RJ#BeGold x #404Institute pic.twitter.com/yGonliCVwW— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) April 23, 2023
Reese runs it out❕👋
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💻 https://t.co/KxS5coh2RJ#BeGold x #404Institute pic.twitter.com/4SytwLhnGA— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) April 23, 2023
Headed back home next.#BeGold x #404Institute pic.twitter.com/UQrBMGOWB8
— Georgia Tech Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) April 23, 2023
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