HOUSTON (Feb. 11) – Mark Teixeira homered and drove in three runs and Georgia Tech exploded for 10 runs in the fifth inning as the top-ranked Yellow Jackets (2-1) defeated No. 4 Nebraska, 15-8, in the the final day of action at the Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational at Reckling Park on Feb. 11.
Georgia Tech starter Brian Sager (1-0) picked up the victory in his Yellow Jacket debut after allowing two earned runs on five hits in five innings of work. Nebraska starter Shane Komine (0-1), the nation’s leader in strikeouts last spring, took the loss after surrendering five runs in four-plus innings.
Tech’s Kevin Cameron tossed three innings to close out the game and did not allow an earned run to pick up his first save of the season.
Nebraska (1-2) took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning when Jeff Blevins delivered a two-run single and then came around to score on an error.
Tech responeded with 10 runs in the top of the fifth inning to take control of the game. The first 10 Yellow Jackets to bat in the frame all reached base, and Tech sent a total of 15 men to the plate in the inning. Bryan Prince, who had three RBI in the inning, delivered a two-run single bases loaded walk in the inning, while Jason Basil drove in two runs. Tech’s Victor Menocal, Jason Perry, Matthew Boggs and Richard Lewis all had single RBI in the inning.
The Yellow Jackets made the score 14-3 with four more runs in the sixth inning. Perry scored on a sacrifice fly from Lewis before Teixeira belted a three-run homer, his second of the season. Prince, who finished the afternoon with four RBI, added a solo homer in the eighth inning, his first of the season.
Georgia Tech’s offense pounded out 17 hits in the game, including two hits apiece from Boggs, Lewis, Teixeira, Prince, Basil, Menocal, Perry and Wes Rynders. The Tech defense turned four double plays on the day.
Georgia Tech will travel to Georgia Southern to open a two game series in Statesboro next Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
