LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Junior left-handed pitcher Connor Thomas (3-1) used just 96 pitches to throw a complete-game shutout against No. 4 Louisville as Georgia Tech baseball clinched the series with a 4-0 win on Saturday afternoon at Jim Patterson Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets (16-7, 5-3 ACC) used a two-run homer by Baron Radcliff, who continued his strong weekend, while also getting three hits by Luke Waddell and two hits from Michael Guldberg. Tech also manufactured offense off an Oscar Serratos sac fly and a Colin Hall RBI single to provide breathing room.
The Cardinals (17-6, 5-3 ACC) were held to just five hits overall, highlighted by Danny Oriente double, as Thomas retired 13-straight batters over the course of the game.
Louisville’s Nick Bennett (4-1) took the loss on the day, surrendering three runs on four hits in six innings. They went to the bullpen three times on the day with Shay Smiddy being the most effective (1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K).
The Yellow Jackets will look to close out the series against the fourth-ranked Cardinals in the series finale on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.
Postgame Notes:
- Georgia Tech has now won five-straight games and is 7-3 in its last 10.
- The win marks the third victory for Georgia Tech over a top-5 opponent this season and the first series win over a top-5 opponent since the Jackets took two of three from No. 3 North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 2016 (March 24-26).
- Connor Thomas’ complete game is the fourth of his career. He now ranks tied-fifth in career complete games during the Danny Hall era (ties Kyle Bakker).
- Thomas’ complete-game shutout is the first since teammate Xzavion Curry went the distance against Wake Forest on April 27, 2018 and the second since 2013 (Josh Heddinger vs. Vanderbilt in Nashville Regional).
- The 96-pitch complete game is the most efficient of Thomas’ career (prev. 111 pitches vs. Virginia – May 12, 2018)
- Thomas worked in low counts the entire game, only surrendering two three-ball counts all day.
- Baron Radcliff is now hitting 4-for-6 on the series with two home runs, three RBI.
Multimedia:
Head Coach Danny Hall Postgame Interview
Left-Handed Pitcher Connor Thomas Postgame Interview
🔊 Connor Thomas pitched his fourth-career complete game as Tech clinches the series pic.twitter.com/Nh7UUZITaq
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 23, 2019
Outfielder Baron Radcliff Postgame Interview
🔊 Baron Radcliff having a weekend – 4-for-6, two homers, three RBI 💪 pic.twitter.com/oeMBfr60ER
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 23, 2019
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