Jackets top Irish 11-2, even up weekend series

To recover after the disappointing Friday loss, Tech sent Connor Thomas (3-1, 2.83) to the mound against junior lefty Cameron Brown (1-2, 5.05). Thomas had pitched a complete game victory over Louisville last week. He would pitch as well, but not as long into the game, to get the win today.

Tech quickly scored in the 1st when English singled in Waddell and later Radcliff singled in Guldberg and English, who looked much better running as he beat the throw to home. The Jackets led 3-0. The Irish threatened with two hits in their 2nd, but Thomas pitched out of it with a couple of ground ball outs.

Tech added one in their 2nd when McCann broke a five at-bat strikeout steak by singling in Waddell. Guldberg was called out trying for third on the play, right to catcher to third. Coach Hall challenged the call, and Tech won another video review, so Guldberg stayed at third. It paid off big time as English singled him in, Radcliff sacrificed McCann in, and Colin Hall homered to score Tristen, putting the Jackets up 8-0. When Serratos walked, many Irish pitchers ran to the bullpen. Austin Wilhite moved Serratos to third on a hit and run, but Nick Wilhite was out to the pitcher to end the inning.

Freshman righty Alex Rao pitched for ND in the 5th and gave up three runs when Austin Wilhite led off with a double and was driven in by brother Nick’s single. McCann later singled in Nick and Waddell to make it 11-0 and end the scoring for Tech.

Jack Sheehan, brother of last night’s starter, pitched the 7th for the Irish. Will Shirah relieved Thomas for the 8th, Connor having seven innings of five hit shutout pitching. Will got into a jam with a walk, single, and infield hit, before a sac fly scored the first Irish run. He got out of further trouble, aided by a nice play on a foul popup by Paxton Rigby at first.

After pinch hitting Charlie Benson picked up his first hit in the Tech 8th, Cort Roedig came in to pitch for the 9th. He erased a leadoff walk with a double play grounder, but a couple of doubles scored the Irish’s second run. The game ended 11-2 with a fly ball out. Connor Thomas got the well deserved win, Brown the loss, and both teams are now 6-5 ACC with the rubber game Sunday.