April 18, 2018
THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball (23-20, 8-7 ACC) sped to a 5-1 victory over Presbyterian (3-37) on Wednesday night at Mewborn Field, winning in just under 90 minutes.
Head coach Aileen Morales says:
“It was good to open the home stand with a solid team win. Brooke Barfield had a great game in the circle, with five strikeouts and no walks. I’m hoping we can bring some momentum from this win into the weekend.”
How it happened:
The Jackets struck first, taking the lead in the bottom of the first. With two outs, junior Katie Krzus doubled down the left field line to reach base. Sophomore Rebecca Prairie followed up with an RBI single to left center, bringing around Krzus from second and giving Tech the 1-0 lead.
Tech added two to its tally in the bottom of the fourth. Krzus drew a walk to lead off the inning, advancing to second on a single to right field from Prairie. Sophomore Crosby Huckabay singled up the middle to load the bases. Freshman Lilly Hooper took a pitch to the body to bring in Krzus and move the score to 2-0. With the bases still loaded and one out, an error in right field on a sacrifice fly attempt from freshman Saige Pye landed Pye at first and scored Prairie from third, bringing the score to 3-0.
Sophomore Brooke Barfield got the start in the circle for the Jackets, holding the Blue Hose scoreless for four innings. In the top of the fifth, Barfield gave up two hits to land runners on the corners and an error by Pye at third scored an unearned run to make it 3-1.
Tech responded in the sixth. Senior Kelsey Chisholm doubled down the left field line to reach base and freshman Breanna Roper came in to pinch run at second. Hooper sent her second home run of the season over left center, scoring Roper to make it 5-1. Hooper finished the day with three RBI, matching her career high.
Barfield and the defense held on in the top of the seventh for the 5-1 victory. Barfield is now 3-2 on the year, striking out five and giving up no walks on her way to pitching the complete game.
Up next:
The Jackets clash with North Carolina at Mewborn Field this weekend for an Atlantic Coast Conference series. Play is set to start on Friday, April 20 at 6 p.m.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter ( @GaTechSoftball ), Facebook ( Georgia Tech Softball ) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com .
