Georgia Tech loses 8-1 in first game of series to UNC

The Yellow Jackets struggled offensively against UNC in their first of the series

Author:
Madison Meyers
Publish date:
Apr 6, 2023 11:09 PM EDT

Georgia Tech took on #13 UNC today in their first of a three-game weekend series. North Carolina entered the game 20-9 overall and 6-4 in ACC play. After tough ACC matchups and some embarrassing losses, the Yellow Jackets entered this series needing to get at least one win to prove they are still real contenders. A ranked matchup is a tough place to do this but necessary. The loss today showed this may be difficult if the offense continues to struggle through the next two games.

Starting Lineup

1. 2B Kristian Campbell

2. CF Jake DeLeo

3. RF Stephen Reid

4. LF Angelo Dispigna

5. 1B Jackson Finley

6. C Jack Rubenstein

7. DH John Giesler

8. 3B Nicholas Romano

9. SS Jadyn Jackson

Starting Pitcher: Dawson Brown

To lead off the game, UNC went three and out with two ground outs and a strike-out swinging. Tech followed in the bottom of the inning with three straight strike-outs.

The second inning brought a little more momentum to both teams but remained scoreless. A walk put a UNC runner on base, but he was caught stealing. Another walk put a runner on base, but he would be left there after a fielder's choice. Tech’s at-bat only consisted of three batters, which ended quickly with two ground outs and one pop-up.

The third inning had UNC hitting three groundouts, and Tech was finally able to take the lead once they stepped up to the plate. Three singles led Tech to a 1-0 lead. Giesler kicked off with the first hit of the game, followed by Jackson, and Campbell’s pushed a runner in.

The top of the fourth is where the game went downhill for Tech. Dawson Brown’s otherwise great pitching so far collapsed. The first batter was walked and advanced to second on a throwing error. The next batter was hit by a pitch to put 2 runners on base. A single by the next batter pushed a run in to make the game 1-1. The next batter hit a 3 RBI homerun to make the game 1-4. A single by the next batter and a double play during the following at-bat left UNC at 2 outs and no runners on base. After a batter was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a wild pitch, a double down the left field line scored another run for UNC. Brown left the mount and Diamant entered the game with a runner on base. A single to right field scored the last run of the inning to make the game 1-6. Tech did not have an answer for the Tar Heels as they went three and out.

Kristian Campbell hit — Kristian Campbell has been on a hitting hot streak lately
GT Baseball

Needing to stop UNC from taking any more of a lead, Tech started the fifth strong with two flyouts. Three singles in a row scored another run for UNC to make the game 7-1. Tech looked like they may have a chance at the bottom of the fifth after a walk started the inning, but a double play depleted hopes. Another walk would end up being left on base and a swinging strikeout.

The sixth inning looked like it could have pushed UNC even further ahead, but Diamant was able to work his way out of the jam. Two walks and a single loaded the bases up with 1 out, but a strike-out and ground-out saved the Yellow Jackets from going down further. Tech’s offense was still not able to get anything going, though, as DeLeo hit a lone single to be left on base.

Entering the seventh, Dalton Smith entered the game for Diamant and immediately threw two strikeouts. A double by UNC would set the Tar Heels up for another run as an RBI single made the game 8-1. The bottom of the seventh opened with a Finley double down the first base line, but he too would be left on base as a strikeout, flyout, and groundout shut down the bats once again.

Smith handled the eighth inning well after a throwing error and steal got a runner on second. Two strikeouts and a ground out would keep the game at 8-1. UNC made their first pitching change to start the bottom of the eighth, but it didn’t allow for any more momentum for the Yellow Jackets as they couldn’t get a hit.

Dalton Smith Pitching — Dalton Smith threw a career-high seven strikeouts
GT Baseball

With one last chance to save their game, Tech could not pull out the win. Smith was able to close out the game without allowing another run, but not after a scare with runners reaching second and third after a walk and double. Smith recorded a career-high 7 strikeouts in his three innings pitched. Tech’s offensive struggles closed out the game as they ended with two groundouts and a flyout.

A poor offensive performance by Tech and the 4th inning collapse made for a tough way to open an important series. Tech hit .167 compared to UNC’s .316. The Yellow Jackets will certainly look to improve this out-of-character hitting tomorrow.

The final score of 8-1 pushes Georgia Tech’s record to 18-12 overall and 6-7 in ACC play. They will have two more chances on Friday for a win as they face UNC in a doubleheader. The first game will start at 11:00 a.m. and the second game will start at 1:00 p.m.

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