Feb. 23, 2003
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Top-ranked Georgia Tech (6-0) recorded a 7-6 win over Michigan and a 12-4 victory over Armstrong Atlantic State on Sunday afternoon in the final day of the Memorial Health Diamond Classic at Greyson Stadium. The Yellow Jackets finished as the unofficial champion of the three-game event as the only team with a perfect 3-0 record.
In Tech’s first game, Tyler Greene’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Yellow Jackets to a 7-6 win over Michigan (1-2). With the score tied at 6-6, Clifton Remole led off the ninth with a walk before pinch runner Garrett Groce took second base on a balk from pitcher Derek Feldkamp (0-1). Mike Nickeas moved Groce over to third base with a sacriice bunt before Greene delivered the game-winning hit to right field.
Micah Owings (2-0), who also hit two home runs in the game, picked up the win in relief after recording the final two outs in the top of the ninth inning.
Tech jumped to a 1-0 lead on a solo home run from Owings before Michigan’s Jeremy Goldschmeding tied the game with a RBI single in the top of the fifth inning. The Yellow Jackets answered with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to retake the lead, 3-1.
Michigan responded with three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead, scoring on a two-run double from Brock Koman, and a RBI groundout from Mike Sokol off Tech reliever Brian Burks. The Yellow Jackets immediately answered in the bottom of that inning with three runs to reclaim the lead, 6-4. After Remole led off the inning with a single, Nickeas belted a two-run homer to left field and Owings followed with a solo home run.
Tech carried the 6-4 lead to the top of the ninth before Michigan made one final rally with a two-run homer from Jordan Cantalamessa to knot the score at 6-6. The Wolverines loaded the bases with two outs, but Tech left fielder Matt Murton saved a grand slam from pinch hitter Brandon Roberts with a jumping catch over the left field wall.
Tech managed just nine hits in the game, but the Yellow Jackets were aided by 10 walks from Michigan’s pitchers. Owings, Greene and Nickeas each drove in two runs for the Yellow Jackets.
Tech starter Chris Goodman did not figure in the decision despite a solid effort. He held the Wolverines to one run on five hits over five innings and struck out seven batters.
In the second game of the day, Tech jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a solo home run from Brandon Boggs, his second of the season, and a RBI double from Clifton Remole. The Yellow Jackets made the score 4-0 with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the second before a solo homer by Armstrong Atlantic’s (10-1) Matt Stephens made the score 2-1 in the bottom of the second inning.
The Yellow Jackets broke the game open with five runs in the fifth inning, scoring on a two-run triple from Matt Murton, a sacrifice fly from Clifton Remole, and a two-run homer from Tyler Greene, his second of the year. A RBI triple from AASU’s Stacy Bennett cut the Tech lead to 9-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Pirates added a run in the sixth with a RBI single pinch hitter Kyle Maddox to make the score 9-3.
The Yellow Jackets put the game out of reach with three runs in the top of the ninth, extending the lead to 12-3. Clifton Remole and Matthew Swain both drove in runs with doubles.
Tech starter Kyle Schmidt (1-0) earned the win after five solid innings of work. He allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while fanning five.
Brandon Boggs led the Tech offense with three hits in five at bats, while Murton, Remole and Greene each drove in two runs in the game.
Georgia Tech will return to action on Thursday when the Yellow Jackets face the Atlanta Braves in an exhibition at the Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla. The Yellow Jackets will have their 2003 home opener on Friday afternoon when they host George Washington at 4 p.m. at Russ Chandler Stadium.
