Georgia Tech Softball loses 4-6 against Alabama State

The Yellow Jackets could not complete the comeback at home after Minghini's perfect hitting day.

Author:
Madison Meyers
Publish date:
Apr 19, 2023 8:21 PM EDT

Georgia Tech took on the Alabama State Hornets today, losing 4-6. Hot off a 6-1 win against Georgia State that included a grand slam by Grace Connelly, Georgia Tech struggled offensively after getting down 4 runs early in the game. They were never able to recover from the deficit, moving their overall record to 24-21. Minghini was the best hitter of the day for Tech, recording a hit on all 4 of her at-bats by hitting a home run, double, and two singles.

Starting Lineup:

LF Emma Kauf

2B Grace Connelly

3B Mallorie Black

RF Sara Beth Allen

1B Abby Hughes

DP Emma Minghini

C Reese Hunter

SS Jin Sileo

CF Ella Edgmon

Starting Pitcher: RHP Sophia Voyles

The game did not get off to a great start for the Yellow Jackets. The first batter was walked after a long at-bat. The next batter grounded out, and the runner advanced to second. A flyout put Alabama State at 2 outs, but they hit a home run down left field to make the game 0-2. Two more walks put a runner in scoring position again, and Blake Neleman entered the game for Voyles. Another walk loaded the bases, but a pop-up saved Tech from getting down any more runs. During Georgia Tech’s first at-bats, they were unable to get anything going. A foul out, fly out, and ground out shut the inning down to leave two runners on base after two batters were walked.

The second inning did not go any better for Georgia Tech as Alabama State was able to put up two more runs. After a strike out opened the batting, a walk put a runner on base. An out at first pushed the runner to a scoring position at second base. An RBI single to center field made the game 0-3, and the batter advanced to second on the throw. Another runner would reach home to bring the score to 0-4 after a fielding error that also allowed the batter to reach first base. Two more walks loaded the bases, but a strikeout by Neleman ended the inning. Tech once again had no answer for the Hornet’s scoring. Minghini recorded the first hit of the game for GT after singling to center field. Sileo hit a sac bunt that moved Minghini to second, but a fly out and ground out had sealed the deal and ended Tech’s chances in the second inning.

Neleman was finally able to gain control of the game in the top of the third inning as she struck out three batters in a row. Our offense was unable to capitalize on this, though. Kauf hit her signature double, but two fly-outs and a ground-out ended any scoring chances.

The fourth inning continued the defensive comeback as Neleman struck out a batter but walked one. Two more outs came from a ground out and a line out. Tech finally had an answer for Alabama State as Minghini homered down the left-field line to make the game 1-4. A strikeout, ground-out, and fly-out prevented any more scoring in the inning.

The fifth inning opened up with Neleman throwing two walks to put runners on first and second base. Chandler Dennis entered the game for Neleman. Dennis threw a walk on her first batter, which loaded the bases with no outs. A wild pitch during the following at-bat pushed a runner home to make the game 1-5. The next batter struck out, but the following singled to left field, scoring another run. The runner on first stole second to put Alabama State on second and third with one out. The next two batters went out after a strike out and ground out to bring back Tech’s offense. Edgmon was walked, but she was out after a fielder’s choice, putting Kauf on first. Connelly was hit by a pitch to put two on base, but a double-play ground out ended the inning.

Dennis opened the sixth inning by striking out three straight batters. With Tech back up to hit, this was a crucial inning to make up their 5-run deficit. It opened with Allen walking, and Vukadinovich pinch-running for Allen. Gailey pinch hit for Hughes, and Vukadinovich advanced to second on a wild pitch. Gailey walked, and Cassidy entered the game to pinch run. Alabama State made a pitching change, and Minghini responded by hitting a single to left field to load the bases. Keefe entered the game to pinch run for Minghini, and Chapin entered to pinch hit for Hunter, who subsequently hit a popup for an out. Caroline Davis pinch hit for Sileo, who was hit by the pitch, pushing a run in to make the game 2-6. Sileo reentered the game to run in place of Davis. Edgmon hit an RBI single to center field to make the game 3-6 and keep the bases loaded. During the following at-bat, Emma Kauf popped up into a double play to end the inning.

To start the seventh, Vukadinovich entered the game at right field for Allen, Hughes returned to first base, and Hunter to catcher. The first batter struck out swinging, but the second singled to left field. Another strikeout was followed by a single to the pitcher to put two on base. A third swinging strikeout ended the inning to bring up Tech’s last chance at a comeback. Down 3-6, Tech attempted to work their way to a win but came up short. The offense opened with Connelly getting walked and Black hitting a flyout. Allen entered the game for Vukadinovich and singled to the left to put two runners on base. Hughes struck out, and Minghini returned to the lineup, hitting an RBI double to make the game 4-6. Hunter closed out the game by grounding out to leave Georgia Tech with a 4-6 loss.

In Voyles’ 0.2 recorded innings pitched, she threw 3 walks, no strikeouts, and had 2 runs in her 6 batters faced. Neleman threw a total of 6 strikes, 7 walks, and allowed 1 earned run in her 19 batters faced. Dennis ended her 3 innings with 8 strikeouts, 1 walk, and 0 runs in her 13 batters faced.

While this was a disappointing loss, the Yellow Jackets must move on as they face one of the toughest opponents in the nation this weekend in #7 Duke. This will be the second most difficult matchup of their season and is a crucial series to prove they deserve a look for the post-season. Currently ranked #49, Georgia Tech just has 6 games left in the series against Duke and UNC.

The Yellow Jackets travel to Durham for the first game of the weekend on Friday at 6:00 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

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