Category | Sports

Son of a bee sting

Published on March 24, 2009 by Justin Hobday

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets swept a three-game season series against the Owls by handing KSU a stinging 11-3 loss Wednesday, March 18 at Russ Chandler Stadium.

The No. 3 Yellow Jackets scored seven runs in the bottom of the first inning when they sent 12 batters to the plate, eight of which connected for a hit.

“That’s kind of been our problem, giving up the big innings several times throughout the year,” said head coach Mike Sansing.

Jason Haniger knocked in the first run for the Jackets when he singled in the lead-off hitter. Tony Plagman followed with a three-run home run that stretched the Jackets’ lead to 4-0. Three more Jackets scored in the first inning, and in the second inning Luke Murton scored for the second time of the game, giving Georgia Tech an 8-0 lead after two innings.

The Owls showed some life in the top of the sixth inning scoring three runs on three hits. However, Georgia Tech closed the door on any hopes of a comeback when they scored three runs of their own in the bottom of the sixth.

Van Wyck and Martin Baker both connected for three hits on the day to provide all but two of the Owls hits for the game.

Owls starting pitcher Justin Edwards was forced out of the game after an inning and a third of work. Edwards faced 16 batters and surrendered nine hits while allowing eight earned runs.

Edwards’ performance in the final game of the series overshadowed his gutsy performance in the first game a week before. He worked six complete innings giving up only five runs on five hits.

“All I was trying to do was keep [the game] close so we could have a chance to comeback,” said Edwards.

Plagman waited until the third inning of the first game to hit a three-run homer, but the game wouldn’t get away from the Owls in their first trip to Atlanta.

KSU came to bat in the top of the ninth inning, down 5-2, but scored two runs to close the gap to 5-4. With two outs and the bases loaded, Tyler Stubblefield stepped up to bat with the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position. However, he was unable to push a run in as he struck out to end the game.

The Owls hosted the Jackets at Stillwell Stadium in the second game of the series on Tuesday, March 17 in front of 1,014 fans.

Chad Jenkins struck out six Jackets and allowed only two runs over six innings of work. However, the Owls’ offense could only muster two hits for the game as KSU would fall, 11-0.

“We’re just trying to get focused for this weekend,” said Van Wyck. “I think our attitude is upbeat.”

After a series against Southern Utah, the Owls will hit the road for six straight road games including a three-game series with conference rival Stetson. KSU will be back at home against the Lipscomb Bison on April 3-4 in a match-up of the Atlantic Sun Conference’s pre-season No. 1 and No. 2 selections.