March 5, 2008
Box Score
ATLANTA -The No. 19-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets broke open a 3-3 game with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as Georgia Tech defeated Kennesaw State, 5-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Georgia Tech (9-1), in jeopardy of their second straight loss to the Owls, rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning when Thomas Nichols walked with one out and Derek Dietrich followed with a single to right field to put runners on first and second.
Justin Freeman relieved Justin Edwards and Tech's Brad Feltes met Freeman with a one-hop double past third baseman Tyler Stubblefield into the left field corner, scoring Nichols for a, 4-3, Yellow Jackets lead. Georgia Tech added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Jay Dantzler.
The Owls (5-7) tied up the game in the top of the eighth inning with a two-out rally. Jace Whitmer poked a single to right field and Josh Whitaker followed with a bloop single down the right field line, putting runners on the corners. Andrew Martin, who entered the game with a .296 average, grounded a single between shortstop and third base scoring Whitmer with the tying run.
Kennesaw State took the lead in the first inning when Tyler Stubblefield hit the first of his two doubles, scoring Jacob Robbins who led off the game with a walk. Georgia Tech tied the game in the bottom of the second inning when KSU starter Chad Jenkins allowed the first of two solo home runs, a blast to right field by Derek Dietrich.
The Black and Gold took the lead in the top of the third inning when Stubblefield doubled and scored on a Ric Bishop single to center field. Tech's Cole Leonida hit his first home run of the season in the bottom of third to tie the game for the second time.
Jenkins got into trouble in the fourth inning after hitting Tony Plagman with one out. Nichols singled through the right side. After a force out, Feltes singled through the left side, giving tech a 3-2 lead.
Jenkins allowed five hits and three runs in four innings of work as he pitched the longest of Kennesaw State's four pitchers. Edwards suffered his first loss of the season, allowing two runs on three hits in three and one-third innings of work.
Brandon Cumpton was the tough luck starter for the Yellow Jackets. The right-hander pitched threw seven innings, allowing two runs on just five hits with nine strikeouts. Andrew Robinson, who gave up the tying run in the eighth inning, earned his second win of the year while Chris Hicks picked up his third save of the year.
Kennesaw State will be back in action on Tuesday evening, March 11 when they continue their seven-game road trip with a visit to Alabama to battle Troy. The Owls will be home on March 14 for a three-game series with A-Sun newcomer Florida Gulf Coast.
