THE FLATS – Facing a two-run deficit in the eighth, senior Bobby Zmarzlak blasted a three-run, go-ahead home run on a 2-1 pitch deep down the right field line to power Georgia Tech baseball to a series clinching 8-7 win over No. 13-ranked NC State on Saturday afternoon at Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets (14-4, 2-0 ACC) then closed out the game with a 1-2-3 inning from RHP Brett Thomas (1-0), who faced the minimum in the eighth and ninth to secure the victory.
Tech started out with a 2-1 lead with a Cam Jones RBI and Drew Burress home run through three innings. But the 13th-ranked Wolfpack (12-5, 3-2 ACC) were pesky, working at-bats and situational hitting to score five runs without a base hit leaving the infield (two scored on an infield error).
It was then Tech’s turn to be tough as Carson Kerce hit his second career home run in as many days in the fifth and Burress demolished his second home run of the day in the seventh – a 420-foot, two-run blast that left a mark on the batter’s eye.
RHP Michal Kovala and RHP Brett Barfield bridged the gap from starter RHP Aeden Finateri to Thomas, including a crucial inning-ending, bases-loaded double play ball induced by Barfield. Thomas then carved up the six batters he faced on just 15 pitches to slam the door.
Overall, Burress led the way with three hits, two home runs and three RBI. Jones and Payton Green finished with two hits apiece – Jones with the RBI and Green with a rocket double.
NC State was led by Luke Nixon, who had a home run and two RBI. RHP Jacob Dudan (2-1) received the loss, surrendering four runs on four hits in 1.2 innings pitched.
Georgia Tech looks to close out the series against NC State on Sunday, March 17. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.
Multimedia:
Postgame Press Conference (Coach Hall, Bobby Zmarzlak, Brett Thomas)
Around Social Media
✅𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞
✅𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝#CardiacJackets x #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/N5CDRe1YxM— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
That ACC series clinching feeling 🦎👷♂️🔨#WreckHavoc x #StingEm pic.twitter.com/OJNgxdxyoQ
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
GOT EM!! Brett Thomas froze 'em and Georgia Tech roars back in the eighth to take the series from No. 13 NC State!!#WreckHavoc x #StingEM pic.twitter.com/HDQ7uxBXWY
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
YOU BETTER BELIEVE IT BOBBY Z HITS IT OUTTA HERE!#WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/rFS4SbdxDg
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
File this under "Absolute No Doubter"!!!!!
ANOTHER ONE!!@drew_burress08 | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/6te5yZd27T
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
Needed it. Got it. Brett Barfield induces the 643 inning-ending double play!@PaytonG08 ➡️@BecchettiMike ➡️@c_jones30 pic.twitter.com/mr3PM7C9Me
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
KERCE! AGAIN!! His second career 💣 in as many days!@CarsonKerce | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/HP7Ygi0U6b
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
Home run No. 1️⃣2️⃣ for No. 8️⃣!! He's INHUMAN!!@drew_burress08 | #WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/eGEsJNjseF
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
On the board! @c_jones30 laces one through the left side for the first run of the game!#WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/EE717dn1pK
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
.@aeden_finateri fans two in the second to put up another zero 💪#WreckHavoc pic.twitter.com/d8XF7wk8sn
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
75 and ☀️ on The Flats!#WreckHavoc x #StingEm pic.twitter.com/nZK0z6bl75
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) March 16, 2024
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