Georgia Tech Softball wins 3-0 to take series against Pittsburgh

The Yellow Jackets won 3-0 in an incredible defensive effort against Pitt

Author:
Madison Meyers
Publish date:
Apr 16, 2023 2:44 PM EDT

Georgia Tech softball took on the Pittsburgh Panthers today in their final game of the 3-game away series, winning 3-0 to take the series. They entered the game tied in the series 1-1 after a 9-10 loss Friday in an extra inning and a 13-11 win yesterday after three extra innings. Pitt entered today’s game #11 in the ACC, 19-18 overall and 3-10 in the ACC.

Tech’s Starting Lineup:

LF Madison Dobbins

C Emma Kauf

3B Mallorie Black

RF Sara Beth Allen

2B Grace Connelly

1B Abby Hughes

DP Emma Minghini

SS Jin Sileo

CF Ella Edgmon

Starting Pitcher: RHP Blake Neleman

To start the game, a flyout by Dobbins was followed by Kauf reaching base on a throwing error. Mallorie Black grounded out into a double play to make it a quick three outs. Pitt did not show anything better during their first at-bats as they grounded out, struck out swinging, and flied out. Neleman allowed one walk during this quick inning.

The second inning showed no more from Tech’s bats as two batters hit ground outs and the final one struck out looking. Pitt looked like they might score during the second inning after a batter was hit by a pitch and stole second. A walk put another runner on base with one out to go, but a flyout would close the inning to keep the score even at 0-0.

Tech continued to make contact in the third inning with 3 batters putting it into play for ground outs and Minghini out at 1b. Edgmon was left on base after walking. Pitt had the first hit of the game after hitting a double to left field. Vukadinovich replaced Dobbins in left field after this play. A sac bunt by Pitt moved their runner to 3rd base. A popup and strikeout ended the inning to save Tech from another threatening situation.

Jin Sileo throwing — Jin Sileo hit a crucial home run along with making incredible defensive plays
Georgia Tech Athletics

In the fourth inning, Kauf recorded Tech’s first hit of the game as she singled to left field. She was caught stealing 2nd, though, to leave the bases empty. The Yellow Jackets continued to make contact as Black lined out to 2nd and Allen hit a flyout to right field. Pitt was once again able to get into scoring position as they singled to left center twice in a row, putting runners on first and third. A groundout closed out the inning as Tech once again felt the offensive pressure of Pitt sitting in scoring position.

The fifth inning continued the stalemate at 0-0 as Tech recorded no hits, and Connelly hit a pop-up and Hughes grounded out. Vukadinovich would strike out swinging after switching positions in the lineup with Minghini. Pitt opened their hitting with a single to right field, but two pop-ups and the runner getting caught stealing would shut the inning down. Mallorie Black made an incredibly athletic diving play to catch the infield popup. Emma Kauf connected with Jin Sileo in an extraordinary play to catch the runner stealing at second.

Tech finally hit their stride in the sixth inning with an electrifying home run to left center by Jin Sileo to make the game 1-0. Edgmon followed this up with a single up the middle. Freshman Jayden Gailey entered the game to pinch-hit for Minghini at the top of the lineup. Edgmon stole second during the at-bat, but Gailey would strike out swinging. The double expert Emma Kauf did what she does best as she doubled to left center to push the runner in to make the game 2-0. Black grounded out to second, and Kauf advanced to third. Another double, this time by big hitter Allen, nearly went over the fence but moved Kauf to home to make the game 3-0. Auburn Dupree entered the game to pinch run for Allen. Pitt made a pitching change after allowing 4 hits and 3 runs with 2 outs. Connelly was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. Hughes finished Tech’s offensive run with a pop-up to first base to leave the two runners on base. Pitt had no answer for Tech as they went 3 and out, hitting a line out, pop-up, and striking out swinging. Freshman Vukadinovich made an incredible diving catch in left field.

The seventh inning began with two groundouts, but hope for more runs came after Edgmon singled to center field. She stole second during Gailey’s at-bat, and Gailey would end up walking to put two runners on base. Kauf would strike out swinging and leave both runners on base. Auburn Dupree replaced Allen at right field to set up a strong defensive end to the game. Needing to come back from a three-run deficit, Pitt created chances for themselves, starting with a single to the pitcher to put a runner on first. Two flyouts in a row would make Tech a little more comfortable, but a single to right field that pushed the other runner to third would bring some anxiousness. Neleman and the defense continued their strong showings after a line out to third shut the game down to bring Tech the 3-0 victory.

Blake Neleman raised her win/loss record to 9-8, allowing 0 runs, 6 hits, and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts in her 29 batters faced to make her ERA 3.65.

Emma Kauf’s 11th double of the season put her in sole possession of 3rd in program history for career doubles as she recorded her 47th.

The win moves GT to 23-20 overall and 6-12 in the ACC. This was their third ACC series win of the season.

Georgia Tech softball returns home this week as they take on Georgia State on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. and Alabama State on Wednesday at 5 p.m. at Shirley Clements Mewborn Field.

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