Georgia Tech loses first in series against FSU

Georgia Tech Softball lost 4-6 after a comeback against #7 Florida State

Author:
Madison Meyers
Publish date:
Mar 31, 2023 8:44 PM EDT

Softball traveled to Florida State today for the first of their three-game weekend series against the #7 team in the country. The game ended 4-6 after a thrilling comeback by the Yellow Jackets in the fifth inning, but they just could not close out the game. FSU entered the game on a 23-game win streak and with an ACC pitcher of the week in Kathryn Sandercock who started the game for the Seminoles. She ranked top 10 in the ACC in ERA with 1.26, opposing batting average, innings pitched, wins, saves, earned runs allowed, and walks allowed. Needless to say, this was a tough game to kick off the weekend. FSU is an incredible team all around, so coming out of this weekend with just 1 win would be a success.

Starting Lineup:

C Emma Kauf

3B Mallorie Black

2B Grace Connelly

DP Sea Beth Allen

RF Madison Dobbins

1B Abby Hughes

LF Paige Vukadinovich

SS Jin Sileo

CF Ella Edgmon

Starting Pitcher: RHP Sophia Voyles

Sophomore pitcher Sophia Voyles earned her second start of the year in an extremely tough matchup. Facing a team with a .305 batting average, .416 on base%, and 6.18 runs a game is not the most optimal matchup for a young pitcher. Voyles entered the game with a 3.90 ERA and an opposing batting average of .258.

The first inning did not bring too much action from either side as both sides brought only 4 batters to the plate. Tech’s Connelly had the lone hit of the inning with a single up the middle but was left on base. Voyles walked one batter at the bottom of the first who was also left on base.

The top of the second was a quick 3 and out for the Yellow Jackets as they grounded out once and struck out swinging twice. FSU scored with their first batter as they hit a home run to right field to make the game 0-1. A single that ended with an out at second led up to a home run to left field on the following batter to bring the game to 0-2. The next batter struck out swinging but reached first by stealing after a wild pitch. A sacrifice bunt would advance her to third, but she would be left on base.

The third inning was another quick one as Tech went 3 and out again. The Seminoles managed to get a single but would leave the runner on base as Voyles strikes out two batters in the inning to keep the game 0-2.

The fourth inning brought a spark back to Tech’s offense. After Allen walked with Tech sitting at 2 outs, Dobbins and Hughes singled to load the bases. A flyout by pinch hitter Reese Hunter would end the hopeful inning. FSU struggled again against Voyles as two more strikeouts and a flyout left a double on base. Voyles closed out the fourth inning with an impressive 6 strikeouts in the game.

The fifth inning is where the game began to spice up as Tech finally got their bats going. The ball started rolling after Jin Sileo doubled to right field in what was nearly a home run. Edgmon followed this by reaching on an error that also allowed Sileo to make it all the way home for a run to make the game 1-2. Kauf stepped up to the plate knocking a single into play to have 2 runners on base. After a sac bunt by Black, Edgmon, and Kauf advanced a base each to reach third and second. A ground out by Connelly sat Tech at 2 outs with 2 runners on base and a chance to take the lead. Allen met the moment with a crucial homer to left-center for 3 RBI, giving Tech the lead at 4-2. Singles by Dobbins and Hughes would keep the hope of more runs, and a pitching change by FSU took ace pitcher Sandercock out of the game for DuBois. A flyout by Hunter ended GT’s offense with 2 runners left on base. Down by 2 runs, the Seminoles quickly answered. A single and homerun brought the game to a tied 4-4. Blake Neleman entered the game for Voyles.

The sixth inning looked like it could be another scoring inning for the Yellow Jackets. Sileo reached first after a walk, and after a fielders choice by Edgmon, both players remained on base. Sileo and Edgmon stole a base to get into scoring position, but a line out and ground out left both runners on base. FSU took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. A walk and single put two players on base, and a double to left field pushed both of these runners home to bring the score to 4-6. A sac bunt pushed the remaining runner to third, but a flyout saved Tech from another run.

In a must-score seventh inning, Tech just could not connect. Allen was walked to put a runner on base, but the following three hitters struck out swinging to end the game at 4-6.

The loss dropped Tech to 17-16 overall and 2-8 in ACC play. Tech hopes to close out the weekend with a win to prove they belong in talks with the top of the ACC teams.

Georgia Tech’s next game vs No. 7 FSU starts at 1 PM Saturday on ACC Network Extra and Sunday at 2 PM on ACC Network.

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