March 29, 2006

Final Stats

Atlanta - Western Carolina, who scored three runs in the first inning, had its nine-game winning streak snapped Tuesday night as third-ranked Georgia Tech (21-4) scored 19 unanswered runs in a 19-5 victory at Russ Chandler Stadium. The Yellow Jackets were led by Wes Hodges and Whit Robbins, each driving in four.

After an hour and 18 minute delay waiting for the umpires to arrive, Western jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first. Tim Hallam and Steven Strausbaugh had singles and the two scored on Blake Murphy's single to left-center field. After Murphy stole his eight base of the year, he scored on Jonathan Greene's single to right.

Georgia Tech was able to push a run across in the first without the benefit of a hit. Leadoff hitter Danny Payne walked, stole second, moved to third on a throwing error on the play and scored on Wes Hodges' sacrifice fly to center.

The Yellow Jackets took a 6-3 lead in the second, scoring five runs thanks to three doubles and a WCU error. First, Tech trimmed its deficit to one with a Wally Crancer home run to center, his third of the season. Then, back-to-back doubles by Mike Trapani and Andy Hawranick knotted the game at 3-3. A walk, an error and a three-run triple by Hodges put the Jackets up 6-3 and chased WCU starter Jeremy Ellenburg. Bryan Tupper came out the bullpen and walked his first batter, but got a double play to end the inning.

Tech opened the third with six straight singles and a one-out double to score six runs and take a 12-3 lead. Michael Fisher and Whit Robbins provided most of the damage, each with two-run hits in the frame.

In the fourth, GT got a leadoff double by Crancer and a single by Trapani single. Then, with two out, the Jackets strung together five hits and a walk to score five runs. Payne got things started with a single by Payne. A walk to Hodges led to a two-run single by Robbins as Tech. Matt Weiters and Jeff Kindel added RBI singles for a 17-3 cushion.

Georgia Tech tacked on two more runs in the sixth. Brad Feltes started the home half by being hit by a pitch and Luke Murton walked. Several wild pitches and an RBI ground out allowed the two to score.

Western used a leadoff double by Murphy and a one-out home run by Greene to score its first runs since the first inning. For Greene, it marked his third home run of the season.

Ellenburg suffered the loss, falling to 2-1 on the season. Offensively, Murphy was 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored. Strausbaugh, Greene and Jason Haynes each added two hits as well with Greene driving in two as well.

Western Carolina will stay on the road to play three games at Appalachian State. Friday's contest is set for begin at 3:00 pm.