STATESBORO, GA – The Eagles could not overcome a two-run first inning from the Yellow Jackets as Georgia Southern dropped its first decision of 2009 to No. 8 Georgia Tech, 5-3, Wednesday afternoon (Feb. 25) at J.I. Clements Stadium. The loss evened the series at 1-1 as both teams now boast identical 4-1 records.
Georgia Tech struck first with a two-out two-run single off the bat of Jason Haniger, scoring Luke Murton and Matt Skole in the top of the first inning.
The Eagles answered in the bottom of the first when Matt Miller opened the inning with a single up the middle. Miller advanced to second on a single from Phillip Porter, reached third on a A.J. Wirnsberger fly to right and scored on a Griffin Benedict one-out RBI single, pushing the score to 2-1.
The Yellow Jackets called again in the top of the third, adding two runs off a Skole two-run homer to right center, helping lead Georgia Tech to a 4-1 lead.
The Eagles responded in the bottom of the third after Kevin Bowles reached on a lead-off walk. An error by the catcher advanced Bowles to second before Miller’s second single of the game put him on third. Porter drove in his lone RBI of the afternoon with a single through the right side, narrowing the score to 4-2.
Skole connected on his third RBI of the afternoon in the fifth with a run-scoring double, making it a 5-2 ballgame. The Eagles threatened the Yellow Jackets in the bottom of the seventh when junior Bowles nailed a two-out homer to left field forcing Zach Brewster come on in relief of Kevin Jacob with the score 5-3. Brewster ended the threat with a Miller third-out fly out.
Dexter Bobo closed the game for the Eagles coming in with two on in the top of the ninth. Bobo immediately forced an easy out from Murton followed by a fly out to left field and an inning closing Jason Haniger fielder’s choice with Thomas Nichols forced out at third on the play, leaving two runners on base.
Despite attempts to stage a comeback, Georgia Tech closed out the final two innings three-up, three-down. Mark Pope closed the game for the Yellow Jackets, earning his first career save.
Bowles went 2-for-3 in the game with his first home run of his career and a RBI. Miller and Porter both closed out the game going 2-for-4.
Georgia Southern will continue this 12-game season-opening homestand when they welcome Coppin State for a three-game series this weekend. Game times are set for Friday at 7 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday at J.I. Clements Stadium.
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