March 27, 2002
ATLANTA – Led by a pair of two-run homers by catcher Lindsay Wood and two dominating pitching performances, the Georgia Tech softball team (29-9, 2-0 ACC) swept its ACC-opening doubleheader from Maryland Wednesday at Glenn Field. The Jackets took game one, 3-0, and won the second contest, 4-0.
Tech starters Erin Voeltz and Jessica Sallinger combined to limit the Terps to just three hits in 14 innings. Voeltz allowed two safeties, while Sallinger was one out away from her third no-hitter of the season before Maryland third baseman Jillian Callaway singled in the top of the seventh.
Tech got on the board first in game one, pushing a run across in the fourth. Third baseman Jamie Frost led off the inning with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by designated player Mimi Utt. Right fielder Soraya Reddick singled to left field, moving Frost to third. Maryland left fielder Danielle Carpenter’s throw to third sailed past third, allowing Frost to come home and giving the Jackets a 1-0 lead.
With Wood’s first two-run shot, Tech extended its lead to 3-0 in the fifth. The blast to deep center scored first baseman Katie Donovan, who singled earlier in the frame.
Three runs were enough, as Voeltz was nearly untouchable, allowing no runs on just two hits and one walk. With her second shutout of the season, she moves to 9-4.
At the plate, Frost went 2-for-3 to lead Tech in game one.
Wood got the Jackets on the board in the bottom of the first in the game two with her second two-run homer of the day. After a walk to shortstop Tara Knudsen, Wood sent a ball down the right field line, which stayed fair and gave Tech a 2-0 lead. Wood now has four home runs on the season, ranking second on the team behind Knudsen.
Tech extended its lead to 4-0 in the third. Second baseman Felicia Coursey legged out an infield single to start the rally. She later scored from first on a RBI double by Donovan, who then advanced to third on a wild pitch. After reaching base on a walk, Wood attempted to steal second, staying in the rundown long enough to allow Donovan to swipe home.
Sallinger was again dominant, earning her 14th win of the season, against just four losses. She went seven innings, fanned 12, walked two and allowed just the one hit. She now has five shutouts and 16 complete games this season.
Sallinger also has 166 strikeouts this season, which ranks her fifth on the Tech career list.
Wednesday’s sweep of the Terps is the Jackets’ first since 1995. Tech also defeated Maryland, 2-1, in eight innings in the Buzz Classic quarterfinals Sunday in Marietta.
The Jackets return to action Saturday when they host ACC rival Virginia for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Glenn Field. The Cavaliers defeated Tech, 6-4, in 10 innings at the National Invitational Softball Tournament earlier this season.
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