THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball closed out its regular season slate besting Virginia, 6-3, on Senior Day for its first ACC series sweep since 2018. The Jackets, now winners of five straight, got going early and never trailed as they rode the arm of senior hurler Morgan Bruce. The Roanoke, Va. native heaved five innings allowing just two hits and no runs for her third win on the year.
The Yellow Jackets (19-25) got on the board in the bottom of the first as Tech’s current RBI leader Cameron Stanford chalked up two more on a single to center field. The Cavaliers (15-33) stormed back in the following frame with a solo shot and a two-RBI double to take the lead, but Tech answered with a sacrifice fly off the bat of senior utility player Breanna Roper to knot things up at three apiece. Bruce entered the circle to open the third and shut down the bats for the Hoos the rest of the way, allowing senior first baseman Tricia Awald’s solo bomb in the fourth to give the Jackets the lead. Georgia Tech added a pair insurance runs in the fifth as a couple of singles by senior catcher Bianca Mora and freshman infielder Mallorie Black drove home two more Jackets. Bruce closed the door for the second straight game to follow, resulting in a 6-3 Georgia Tech win and series sweep.
Softball vs. Virginia
May 2, 2021 - Atlanta, Ga. (Danny Karnik)
Game Notes
- Georgia Tech outscored Virginia 27-6 over the course of the series sweep.
- The Yellow Jacket hurlers collectively posted a 1.62 ERA against the Cavaliers.
- Bruce’s strong relief effort resulted in a perfect 0.00 ERA for the right-hander through the series. She picked up two wins and one complete game shutout in three appearances with one start. Bruce allowed just seven hits and no runs with four punchouts through her 10 1/3 innings of work.
- Neleman put forth a strong series as she piled up 17 strikeouts in 15 innings of work, going 2-0 with a 2.33 ERA after making three starts and tossing one complete game.
- Awald led the Jacket bats in the game as she went 2-for-2 with her team-leading 11th dinger on the year. Black also went a perfect 2-for-2 at the dish with an RBI to boot.
- Georgia Tech had three batters finish .500 or better with at least five at-bats through the series. Awald led the way (.714) with Black (.600) and Cowden (.500) just behind. The trio combined for 16 hits, three homeruns and 12 RBI on the weekend.
- The Jackets’ last ACC series sweep came over Syracuse in three games April 26-28, 2018.
Up Next
Georgia Tech awaits a bid for the ACC Tournament May 12-15 in Louisville, Ky. The Yellow Jackets are currently in position to make the tournament as they’re ninth in the ACC with the top 10 teams in the conference advancing. With one final weekend of competition remaining for other schools across the conference and seeding determined based on conference winning percentage, the Jackets’ fate is yet to be determined.
Multimedia
🎓𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐭🎓
Let's get a dub today 😤#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/3xvLJjVhja
— GT Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) May 2, 2021
That's our RBI leader 👑 Jackets are up ✌️ thanks to @CamStanford1❕
📺: https://t.co/FeImfQNgZL pic.twitter.com/vlVk8D7wHZ
— GT Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) May 2, 2021
OPPO 🌮
They really should know about @TriciaAwald22 at this point 🤷♀️
📺: https://t.co/FeImfQNgZL pic.twitter.com/DKyQ06qBSD
— GT Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) May 2, 2021
Makin' it count❕ @Bianca9Mora steps in to pinch hit and slaps an RBI single into left 👏
📺: https://t.co/FeImfQNgZL pic.twitter.com/D73IjbpTxu
— GT Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) May 2, 2021
🧹🎓SENIOR DAY SWEEP🎓🧹
The Jackets take game four to cap off the regular season with an ACC series sweep of Virginia❕👏👏👏#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/MhzVFKRmHJ
— GT Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) May 2, 2021
𝓣𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓴 𝔂𝓸𝓾, 𝓢𝓮𝓷𝓲𝓸𝓻𝓼 💛🐝#BeGold /// #404Institute pic.twitter.com/OhmxQVFAP9
— GT Softball 🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇 (@GaTechSoftball) May 2, 2021
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