Spring Break
Softball bests rival Tech
Georgia defeats Yellow Jackets for first time since 2006
ZACH DILLARD
Issue date: 4/9/09 Section: Sports
No. 7 Georgia reverted back to its usual ways of daring opposing pitchers to get an out - just one.
In front of a season-high home crowd of 1,095, the Bulldogs (26-7) upped their undefeated home record to 17-0 as they beat No. 22 Georgia Tech (28-11) 7-5.
After conceding a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Georgia's explosive lineup decided to come out and be patient at the plate - it paid dividends.
Tech's star senior pitcher Tiffany Johnson (11-2) walked the first two batters, leading to first baseman Brianna Hesson's double off the wall in right-center to tie the score at 1-1.
After a wild throw led to another Georgia run, Johnson turned around and handed the Bulldogs their third walk of the inning before being taken out.
Johnson left the game at 2-1 with the bases loaded - and not a single out.
Georgia would end up scoring four runs in the first inning after Tech's Jessica Coan walked home a run, and a sacrifice fly by second baseman Ashley Pauly.
Tech would go on to walk eight batters in the contest.
The Yellow Jackets showed no signs of settling down in the third inning, either.
Georgia scored two more runs on two straight wild pitches by Coan to make the game 6-1.
Brittany Hubbard would hit a solo home run in the seventh for Georgia's final run.
Georgia pitchers Sarah McCloud and Christie Hamilton (13-5) were able to hold off a Tech lineup that is among the top-20 scoring teams nationally.
Tech made a furious rally in the seventh and final inning, scoring four runs, until Hamilton shut the door with a strikeout for the win.
Georgia had not beaten the Yellow Jackets since 2006 - none of the current Bulldogs were there to witness that - and it was a drought they were glad to end.
"We had beat them before [the seniors] graduate, and we did tonight," said Hamilton. "That's just one goal down, and a few more to go."
In front of a season-high home crowd of 1,095, the Bulldogs (26-7) upped their undefeated home record to 17-0 as they beat No. 22 Georgia Tech (28-11) 7-5.
After conceding a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, Georgia's explosive lineup decided to come out and be patient at the plate - it paid dividends.
Tech's star senior pitcher Tiffany Johnson (11-2) walked the first two batters, leading to first baseman Brianna Hesson's double off the wall in right-center to tie the score at 1-1.
After a wild throw led to another Georgia run, Johnson turned around and handed the Bulldogs their third walk of the inning before being taken out.
Johnson left the game at 2-1 with the bases loaded - and not a single out.
Georgia would end up scoring four runs in the first inning after Tech's Jessica Coan walked home a run, and a sacrifice fly by second baseman Ashley Pauly.
Tech would go on to walk eight batters in the contest.
The Yellow Jackets showed no signs of settling down in the third inning, either.
Georgia scored two more runs on two straight wild pitches by Coan to make the game 6-1.
Brittany Hubbard would hit a solo home run in the seventh for Georgia's final run.
Georgia pitchers Sarah McCloud and Christie Hamilton (13-5) were able to hold off a Tech lineup that is among the top-20 scoring teams nationally.
Tech made a furious rally in the seventh and final inning, scoring four runs, until Hamilton shut the door with a strikeout for the win.
Georgia had not beaten the Yellow Jackets since 2006 - none of the current Bulldogs were there to witness that - and it was a drought they were glad to end.
"We had beat them before [the seniors] graduate, and we did tonight," said Hamilton. "That's just one goal down, and a few more to go."
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