Georgia Tech Baseball: Recapping the Duke Series

Game 1: Georgia Tech - 5 Duke - 2

WP: Jonathan King (3-0) LP: Nick Hendrix (1-1) S: Zac Ryan (3)

Duke got off to a 2-0 lead in the third inning. Kenny Koplove led the inning off with a double and would come around to score on an RBI single from Andy Perez. Perez took second on the throw and would come around to score himself a couple of batters later.

The Blue Devils held Tech scoreless all the way up to the top of the sixth inning.

Following back-to-back singles by Connor Justus and Daniel Spingola and a wild pitch to put them on second and third, Thomas Smith came up and grounded out to short stop, allowing Justus to score. Spingola would follow suit after another wild pitch.

Tech came right back in the seventh to score two more runs. Freshman Wade Bailey reached on an error, stole second and then came around to score after Arden Pabst reached on an error. After Pabst stole second, Justus drove him in with an RBI single into right-center.

In the eighth inning, with runners on first and second and one out, AJ Murray came up to the plate and smashed a double into right-center allowing for Tech's final run to score.

Jonathan King started the game for the Jackets and went 5.2 innings. He allowed two runs on nine hits and struck out six batters while walking none. He was credited with the win. Matthew Gorst came on in his relief 2.1 innings of scoreless baseball. Zac Ryan came onto finish the game in the ninth. He gave up one hit and struck out a batter, while earning the save.

Game 2: Georgia Tech - 3 Duke - 6

WP: Andrew Istler (3-1) LP: Cole Pitts (0-1) S: Kenny Koplove (5)

Again, Duke wasted very little time getting started, going for two runs in the bottom of the first inning after a wild inning from Tech starter Cole Pitts. After reaching on a single and reaching second on the next base hit, Peter Zyla was able to score from second following two wild pitches from Pitts. Mike Rosenfeld scored a couple of batters later off of a sac fly.

Tech was able to counter in the top of the second. Following AJ Murray's lead-off triple, he scored when Matt Gonzalez grounded out to third base.

Duke came right back in the third inning to keep their lead at two runs after an RBI single from Jalen Phillips.

Tech tried to keep things interesting, scoring another run in the fourth inning off of an RBI single from Matt Gonzalez, but after Duke scored three runs between the sixth and seventh innings, the game was out of reach.

Daniel Spingola's eighth-inning home run proved not be enough to spark a Yellow Jackets rally and the Blue Devils won by a final score of 6-3.

Pitts started the game for the Jackets. In his 3.0 innings of work, he allowed three runs on five hits while striking out one batter while walking four. He earned the loss in his first decision of the season. Devin Stanton came on in his relief and pitched the next 3.0 innings. He gave up another three runs (two earned) on four hits, struck out a batter and walked two. Tanner Shelton and Matt Phillips combined to pitch the last 2.0 innings. Combined, they only gave up two hits, but walked a collective four batters.

Game 3: Georgia Tech - 4 Duke - 0

WP: Brandon Gold (3-0) LP: Baily Clark (2-1)

Brandon Gold and Zac Ryan combined to pitch nine full innings of scoreless baseball en route to a 4-0 victory in the rubber match of the series.

Gold, who earned the win, pitched 7.0 innings and gave up only two hits. He struck out a career-high nine batters, while walking two. Gold earned his third win of the season. Ryan was also impressive in his 2.0 innings of work. He gave up a hit and struck out a batter, while walking one.

Tech's offense got things going in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and one man down, Matt Gonzalez came up to the plate. He walked on four pitches, driving in Tech's first run. Thomas Smith followed and hit a sac fly to right allowing another run to score.

Tech continued their scoring with a two-out rally in the top of the seventh inning. With runners on the corners, Kel Johnson came up to the plate and singled into right field, which scored a run and allowed the lead runner to advance to third. AJ Murray followed and singled up the middle allowing Tech's final run to score.

The Yellow Jackets return to action Tuesday night to take on Kennesaw State (you're team is going down, Tyler!).