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#10 Georgia Tech Edges Virginia in 12 Innings, 3-2
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April 27, 2002
ATLANTA, Ga. – The University of Virginia baseball team dropped a hard-fought 3-2 decision to the #10 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in 12 innings in front of 1,457 spectators at Russ Chandler Stadium this evening. UVa held a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth inning before eventually falling to the Yellow Jackets in the bottom of the 12th inning in an extra innings contest. The Yellow Jackets’ Brandon Boggs posted a bases loaded single with one out as a pinch hitter to drive in the game-winning run.
Georgia Tech pulled out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Eric Patterson walked, stole second base, and then advanced to third base on a UVa throwing error before scoring a run on a RBI sacrifice fly to right field by Victor Menocal. But Virginia answered right back with a run of its own and tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the third inning when David Stone doubled to left-center field before scoring in the Cavaliers’ next at-bat when Matt Street reached first base on a Yellow Jacket throwing error.
The score remained tied at 1-1 until the top of the eighth inning when UVa took a 2-1 lead when Robert Word drove in Matt Street with a RBI-single to left field to give the Cavaliers a one-run lead. M. Street singled to reach first base before advancing to second base on another Yellow Jacket throwing error before scoring his run on Word’s hit. But Virginia’s lead was short lived as Georgia Tech knotted the score at 2-2 in the bottom half of the inning when Mike Nickeas connected on a solo home run to right field, his second of the season.
The contest remained tied at 2-2 until the bottom of the 12th inning when GT’s B. Boggs entered the game as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and one out before recording the game-winning hit with a single through the right side to drive in Tyler Parker, who doubled to left-center to lead off the inning.
The Cavaliers Alan Zimmer (1-1) took the loss after pitching three innings in relief and allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts. UVa starting pitched Joe Koshansky pitched 7.2 innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on just four hits with a career-high nine strikeouts, including a stretch where he struck out five consecutive batters. The Yellow Jackets’ Jeff Watchko (7-1) picked up the win after going five innings and allowed one run (unearned) on four hits with five strikeouts. GT starting pitcher Kyle Schmidt went seven innings and allowed one run (unearned) while scattering five hits with nine strikeouts.
With the loss, Virginia’s record falls to 23-22 overall, 8-9 in the ACC. The win improves Georgia Tech’s record to 35-9 overall, 9-7 in the conference.
The Cavaliers and Yellow Jackets will return to action on Sunday, April 28th when UVa and GT play the final contest of the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at Russ Chandler Stadium.
— UVa —