Feb. 13, 2005
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Junior Christine Sheridan drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning and senior Jessica Sallinger (5-0) pitched a complete-game two-hitter to lead No. 20 Georgia Tech (8-0) over Bethune-Cookman (6-5), 2-1, in the championship game of the FAU Worth Invitational on Sunday afternoon.
The Yellow Jackets broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning as freshman Savannah Brown doubled to right center field to plate Sheridan who reached on a leadoff walk as Tech led 1-0 after four innings of play.
BCC tied the game in the top of the sixth inning on a successful squeeze bunt by Christina Trimble to score Tiffany Bowser who reached on a hit-by-pitch as the game advanced to the seventh inning tied at 1-1.
The Jackets put runners on first and second with one out on consecutive walks by junior Amy Hosier and senior Liz Bartle. The Wildcats’ Viveca Patterson retired the next two Tech batters as the game headed into extra innings.
Due to the international tiebreaker rule, a batter is placed on second base to start the eighth inning. After an intentional walk, the Jackets turned a 5-3 double play and Sallinger recorded the final out to give Tech a chance to win the game in the bottom half of the inning.
Freshman Aileen Morales was placed on second with no outs and sophomore Caitlin Lever sacrificed her over as Tech had a runner at third with one out. Sheridan then singled to right field to plate Morales and vault Tech into the winner’s circle, 2-1.
Sheridan finished the game 1-for-2, with one RBI and two walks to garner tournament Most Valuable Player honors. The extra inning game was the first for Tech in 75 contests.
Tech will travel to Greenville, S.C., for a non-conference doubleheader against Furman at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16. The Yellow Jackets will then head to Panthersville for the Lady Panther Invitational, Feb. 19-20.
-GT SOFTBALL-
