DURHAM, N.C. – Georgia Tech baseball crushed three home runs and scored eight two-out runs to defeat No. 10 Duke, 8-5, on Friday night at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
The Yellow Jackets (29-20, 11-14 ACC) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first, thanks to a huge double by Drew Compton that scored two and a two-run homer from John Giesler.
The 10th-ranked Blue Devils (33-15, 14-10 ACC) scratched across two runs to close the deficit, but Tech countered with a three-run homer from Jake DeLeo to go up 7-2. Duke would score three more runs over the next six innings, but Angelo Dispigna launched a two-out solo home run in the top of the ninth to give the Jackets’ another run of insurance and ultimately the three-run margin of victory.
Georgia Tech got a gutsy performance on the mound from true freshman RHP Luke Schmolke (6-3). Schmolke worked around four runs on seven hits to give Tech 5.0 innings of work, striking out four and walking just one. He then turned the ball over to RHP Ben King, who tied his career long, with 3.0 innings of two-hit work as just one unearned run scored against him.
RHP Terry Busse then came in to slam the door, earning his team-high eighth save of the season, allowing just one hit in the ninth, striking out two to close.
Duke was led by Alex Mooney, who had three hits on the night. RHP Alex Gow (3-3) took the loss, surrendering four runs on four hits in 3.0 innings of work to start the game.
Georgia Tech will have a quick turnaround as it takes on Duke on Saturday, May 13 for Game 2. First pitch will be nationally televised on ACC Network at 1 p.m.
Postgame Notes:
- Georgia Tech has won eight of its last 10 games and is 4-1 in its last five ACC games.
- Tech has hit .372 in those 10 games and have nine .300 hitters. Angelo Dispigna has led the way with a .500 average, tallying 17 hits and four home runs for 14 RBI. He’s slugging .853 and has drawn a whopping 13 walks for a .633 on-base percentage.
- The Jackets’ pitching staff has also been lock down in its last 10 games as well, recording a 4.93 ERA over the stretch.
- RHP Ben King has been sensational in relief during the stretch, turning in a 2-0 record in four appearances and sporting a 0.87 ERA.
- As a true freshman, RHP Luke Schmolke has worked to a team-high five wins in Atlantic Coast Conference starts, recording a 5.82 ERA in eight ACC starts this season. His five ACC wins lead all freshman and are tied for second in the league overall. In fact, Schmolke is the only freshman in the top 10 for conference games.
- NCBWA Stopper of the Year candidate RHP Terry Busse recorded his eighth save of the season to rank tied for third in the ACC.
Multimedia:
Postgame Interview with Coach Hall
Around Social Media
✅ Game 1#WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/RjVWFNszY1
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 13, 2023
The Yellowjackets slam the door on No. 10 Duke and complete the 8-5 victory!#NCAABaseball x 🎥 ACCNX / @GTBaseball pic.twitter.com/JieTPFRKzu
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) May 13, 2023
SCARY TERRY CLOSES IT OUT!! @terrybusse gets the save as the Jackets take down No. 10 Duke, 8-5! 😤 pic.twitter.com/3DXEY1LRsv
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 13, 2023
SCARY HOURS IN DURHAM!!@Terrybusse | #ScaryTerry pic.twitter.com/fnEPctw8qm
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 13, 2023
LATE-NIGHT GELLO SHOTS IN DURHAM!!@AngeloDispigna | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/4ySrJlCDRJ
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 13, 2023
Ben King clocks in and goes to work, putting up another zero for Tech 💪@bwking46 | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/dpNdKDZ0Oa
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 12, 2023
Schmolke puts up another zero, including this strikeout@LukeSchmolke | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/zA4WNlK4YY
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 12, 2023
DELEO THREE-RUN 💣@jake_deleo | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/8ZmC4TZWMi
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 12, 2023
Three strikeouts for @LukeSchmolke through three 😤 pic.twitter.com/pm5ETTuM2A
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 12, 2023
STAY HOT GOOSE!@john_giesler | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/IfDnNLcnpE
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 12, 2023
JACKETS STRIKE FIRST!@Drew2Compton | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/y3PZ03rjTm
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) May 12, 2023
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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