May 18, 2016
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ATLANTA – The ACC’s most potent offense delivered when it mattered most Tuesday night. Senior Matt Gonzalez and sophomore Kel Johnson hit back-to-back home runs in the 10th inning to give No. 22 Georgia Tech a 6-3 extra-inning victory over Georgia at Turner Field.
Georgia Tech (34-18) snapped its three-game losing streak to Georgia (26-27) in the series’ final meeting at Turner Field. Tech finished with a 5-9 all-time record at “The Ted” against the Bulldogs.
With the win, Tech moved to 2-2 in extra-inning games this season and the Jackets are now 10-9-2 all-time in extra-inning games with the Bulldogs. Tech also won for just the fourth time this season when either tied or trailing after eight innings.
THE BASICS
• Georgia leads the all-time series 204-161-2, including a 9-5 mark at Turner Field.
• Tech’s win snapped a 3-game losing streak to the Bulldogs.
• Danny Hall is now 44-35 all-time vs. Georgia.
• Georgia Tech is 16-14 when opponents score first this season.
• Georgia Tech 4-18 when not leading after eight innings.
• Tuesday night’s crowd of 19,286 was the largest to see a college baseball game in 2016. The previous high was 15,078 between Texas A&M and Mississippi State.
• Tuesday was the 21st extra-inning game in the series and the first since May 14, 2013. It was the first extra-inning game at Turner Field since May 11, 2006.
• Tech’s four extra-inning games this season are the most its played since 2014 (7).
• Tech has now hit 17 home runs in the last seven games.
QUOTEBOARD
“Our pitchers managed the game well. I thought Zac Ryan pitched very well and was outstanding in the end. It was very nice to see Gonzo and Kel hit those home runs. It gave us a nice cushion going into the bottom of the 10th. It’s a good confidence boost to start the week.” – Georgia Tech head coach Danny Hall
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Georgia took a 1-0 lead with a 2-out RBI single by Michael Curry in the bottom of the 1st.
• Tech responded with three runs in the 3rd to take a 3-1 lead. Kel Johnson hit an RBI single to left field to tie the game at 1-1. Tristin English followed with a 2-RBI double to right-center.
• UGA chipped away at Tech’s lead with runs in the 5th and 6th innings. Skyler Weber’s RBI groundout in the 5th pulled UGA to within one. The Bulldogs tied it in the 6th on Keegan McGovern’s RBI single to right.
• After six scoreless frames, the Yellow Jackets broke free in the 10th. With one on and one out, Matt Gonzalez crushed a 2-run homer to left for the 5-3 lead. On the next at bat, Kel Johnson followed suit with a towering solo home run just inside the foul pole.
• In the bottom of the 10th, Zac Ryan needed just six pitches to clinch the win for Georgia Tech.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Freshman 1B Tristin English posted his fifth two-double game of the season.
• With two hits, senior OF Matt Gonzalez is now tied with Steven Blackwood for sixth place on Tech’s career hits list. Gonzalez now has 283 career hits.
• Sophomore DH Kel Johnson extended his hit streak to seven games.
• Johnson hit his 21st career home run – and only his fifth not his at Russ Chandler Stadium.
• Junior P Zac Ryan pitched 3.2 innings of near-perfect relief. Ryan allowed just one baserunner (walk).
UP NEXT
No. 22 Georgia Tech closes out its regular-season schedule with a three-game ACC series against Boston College at Russ Chandler Stadium. Thursday’s game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. first pitch on ESPN3 and WREK 91.1 FM.
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