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Georgia Tech Baseball: Noles Narrowly Avoid Sweep, Break up Tech's Perfect Week

FSU bested Tech 5-4 in Sunday contest that featured a poor start and a hot finish.

By GTNate
Danny Karnik/GT Atletics

The Jackets got oh-so-close to getting their first series sweep over a number one team, but a tenacious FSU squad came back in the last four outs to get the narrow win.

Tech started off hot once again, scoring four runs in the first inning.  Early runs were a recurring theme this weekend, Tech scored 10 of its 21 runs in the series in their first frame.  The strong started sat down FSU pitcher Bryant Holtmann after just six batters, and Tech continued the push with Brandon Gold's two-out, two-run double.  The final out came when Connor Justus (who had a hot weekend himself) tried to score from first on the play.  I didn't like the aggressive baserunning there, especially since Tech's bats had been so hot all weekend.  That final out would also signal Tech's final run.  FSU earned their runs slowly over the course of several innings, but got all they needed after Josh Delph put a two-run single over the middle infield and took the lead in the eighth.

FSU reliever Gage Smith pitched a shutout over his 6.1 innings, allowing the 'Noles to keep the game on track.  Tech threatened with several men in scoring position over the course of his time in the game, but Smith shut down the attempt every time.  His day was ended when after he threw 75 pitches and Arden Pabst (who is surprisingly fast for being what amounts to a smaller Brian McCann) stole second in the bottom of the seventh.  Tech threatened again in the ninth after Connor Justus got a lead-off single against Seminole closer Jameis Winston, but was caught stealing at second after Tech tried a hit-and-run.  Winston retired PH Mitch Earnest to close the game and earn his fifth save.

Even with this disappointing loss, this was still HUGE series for Tech and a great momentum builder going into tomorrow night's home game with the school from Athens, which can been seen at 7:30 on CSS.

Are you convinced that this team is the real deal after this series and the slow start?  I am!  Let us know what you think below!