THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball is set to face its second SEC foe in as many weeks of fall competition, heading to Alabama for a doubleheader against the Crimson Tide on Saturday beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Last spring, Alabama’s final appearance on the diamond came in its own Tuscaloosa Regional. The Crimson Tide concluded the season at 44-13 overall, falling 6-0 to Stanford in the regional final. The Tide were 24-6 at home, 11-6 on the road and 9-1 in neutral contests, including 14 ranked victories – seven of which were over teams ranked in the top 10 in at least one poll. Alabama enters the weekend with one fall game under its belt – a 6-6 tie through seven innings against Jacksonville State at a neutral site in the Sand Mountain Showdown in Albertville, Ala. on Wednesday.
Georgia Tech enters its sixth season under coach Aileen Morales, bringing back 18 returners from last season’s squad. Chief among the notable returners is NFCA Southeast Second Team All-Region and First Team All-ACC catcher Emma Kauf. The ACC’s two-time top catcher in the league is joined by a dynamic duo of right-handers in the circle in Blake Neleman and Chandler Dennis as well as the “walking web gem” serving as Tech’s vacuum in the middle, shortstop Jin Sileo. Also returning from last season’s regular starting lineup is leadoff mainstay and third baseman Mallorie Black along with ACC All-Freshman Team left fielder Auburn Dupree and fellow former freshman center fielder Ella Edgmon.
The stable of returners is bolstered by the Yellow Jackets’ recent recruiting class, composed of six highly-touted new Jackets. The class consists of five newcomers joining the collegiate ranks along with Texas A&M transfer Cayden Baker, who carved out a starting role with the Aggies while batting .261 as a freshman in the SEC.
Georgia Tech will play two final games to wrap up its fall schedule next week, hosting Bevill State on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. ET at Mewborn Field before concluding competition at North Georgia on Oct. 23 at noon ET in Dahlonega, Ga.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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