Beesball Sweeps Midweek Games, Extends Winning Streak to Four

It was an exciting set of games during Georgia Tech's spring break this week. Beesball got everything started Tuesday night against the Owls from Kennesaw State (who beat uga 10-7 earlier this season).

The Owls would get on the board first, scoring a run in the bottom of the first off of Tech's starter, freshman LHP Tanner Shelton. The Yellow Jackets would fight back for five runs off of KSU's starter, sophomore RHP Jordan Hillyer.

The Yellow Jackets would not hold on to this lead for very long, however, as the Owls fought back in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game up at five runs apiece.

After another inning, both teams were in the same place with another two runs apiece added. And then, one of the greatest things ever happened in the top of the ninth inning. Matt Gonzalez got the inning started off with a bunt down the third base line. Following a sac bunt and a groundout, Gonzalez was standing at third. As Rs-Junior RHP Justin McCalvin working freshman 3B Brandon Gold, McCalvin was called for a balk. What this means is that their pitcher made a motion towards the plate, but did not actually pitch the ball. When pitchers get called for this, if there are any baserunners, they are granted to move up a base. With Matt Gonzalez on third, this meant that he was able to score uncontested, giving the Yellow Jackets their final lead of the game, winning by a final score of 8-7.

There were plenty of guys that contributed offensively for the Yellow Jackets Tuesday night. From the leadoff spot, CF Daniel Spingola got two hits and was able to score a run and drive one in. With Matt Gonzalez's two hits, he scored two runs and drove one in. Freshman SS Connor Justus also continued to impress, going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI.

Starting the game for the Yellow Jackets Tuesday night was freshman LHP Tanner Shelton. In his 5.0 innings of work, Shelton allowed one run (zero earned) on two hits, but walked four batters and only struck out two. Coming on in relief of Shelton was another freshman pitcher, this time RHP Matt Phillips. In his lone inning of work, Phillips allowed five runs on four hits and walked four batters, striking out none. Senior RHP Jonathan Roberts would come on in relief of Phillips after giving up a final run in the top of the seventh inning. Roberts would pitch and acquire the first two outs of the inning after Phillips failed to do so. He allowed another run on one hit and struck out a batter. Finishing up the inning (and the game) was sophomore LHP Sam Clay. In his 2.1 innings of work, Clay allowed zero runs on only two hits and struck out two batters.

Sam Clay was credited with the win and Justin McCalvin with the loss.

Wednesday night was a completely different ballgame (literally). Just as Kennesaw State did earlier in the season, Georgia State also beat uga, but they won 3-2.

Georgia State started off the game as well as anyone could, holding a 2-0 lead until the top of the sixth inning. Once the game reached the top of the sixth, the Yellow Jackets decided to show up just in time to make a comeback and explode for five runs in the inning. Georgia State would attempt a comeback in the bottom of the seventh inning, but it would be fruitless, as Tech added another four runs over the seventh and eight innings.

All but one batter in the Yellow Jackets' starting lineup accounted for a hit Wednesday night, and five of those had multi-hit games. Needless to say, the Yellow Jackets exploded offensively. Making the biggest impact for the Yellow Jackets offensively was Matt Gonzalez, who went 3-for-5 with two RBI. Also adding multi-hit games were senior captain Mott Hyde, freshman phenom Connor Justus, Mr. Do-It-All Thomas Smith, and AJ Murray (Sorrry, I couldn't come up with a good nickname for him; leave a good one in the comments and I may add it in later).

Starting his first game for the Yellow Jackets Wednesday night was freshman LHP Ben Parr. In his 5.0 innings of work, Parr allowed only two runs on two run on three hits and struck out four batters. Pitching the next 2.0 innings was another freshman: RHP Zac Ryan. In his 2.0 innings of work, Ryan allowed two runs (zero earned) on two hits. Finishing the game up for the Yellow Jackets was a third freshman: RHP Matthew Gorst. In his 2.0 innings of work, Gorst did not allow a run on only one hit and added four strikeouts and a walk.

Georgia Tech will take the field again this Friday against No. 13 UNC. Friday's game starts at 5 PM and is available on ESPN 3, or you can listen to it on 91.1 FM WREK.

How shockingly good have these guys been? Will we see this success continue? How do we do against UNC?