Yellow Jackets Take Game One of ACC Series over Miami, 9-2

Yellow Jackets Take Game One of ACC Series over Miami, 9-2

April 6, 2007

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – – Georgia Tech’s Wally Crancer and Tony Plagman each homered and the Yellow Jackets scored five runs in the last three innings to defeat Miami, 9-2, Friday night in the first game of their three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series at Mark Light Field. Blake Tekotte went 3-for-4 for Miami (18-14, 5-8 ACC), which out-hit Georgia Tech, 11-7.

Roger Tomas, Mark Sobolewski and Jason Hagerty each had two hits for the Hurricanes. Alex Koronis (3-1) made his first career start for UM, for usual starter Eric Erickson, who was a late scratch. Koronis held the Yellow Jackets to one hit, but he walked three, struck out three and allowed three earned runs. Miami pitchers matched a season-high with eight walks and hit three batters.

Georgia Tech starter David Duncan scattered eight hits in holding the Hurricanes to two earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. Jared Hyatt, Tim Ladd, Brad Rulon and Chris Hicks combined for 3 2/3 scoreless relief innings.

Crancer’s three-run home run with two outs in the top of the third put Georgia Tech ahead, 4-2.

The Hurricanes had the tying runs in position in the bottom of the fifth. Tekotte had an infield single before Tomas laced a single through the left side. After Danny Payne made a diving grab on a Yonder Alonso line-drive to center field, Tekotte and Tomas executed a double steal. Duncan then struck out Sobolewski and Dennis Raben ending the inning.

Georgia Tech took a 7-2 lead after Plagman’s two-run home run in the top of the seventh and a run-scoring double from Matt Wieters.

Luke Murton dropped in a double along the right field line in the top of the eighth which scored Danny Payne putting Tech ahead, 8-2.

Patrick Long’s groundout in the top of the ninth scored Wieters after a double and two hit batsmen loaded the bases in the top of the ninth to make it, 9-2.

Diego led off the bottom of the second with his third double. After Gus Menendez’s sacrifice bunt, he scored on Ryan Jackson’s groundout tying the game, 1-1. The Hurricanes then put a string of three hits together with two outs. Jason Hagerty singled through the right side before Blake Tekotte beat out a throw for an infield single. Tomas then doubled to right center scoring Hagerty putting UM ahead, 2-1.

Georgia Tech struck first loading the bases with one out. Crancer scored on Jeff Ussery’s sacrifice fly putting Tech ahead, 1-0, in the top of the second.

Wieters finished 2-for-3 with three runs and one RBI. He walked twice. Crancer and Plagman combined to drive in five runs.

Miami and Georgia Tech continue their series Saturday at 1 p.m. Miami LHP Scott Maine will face Georgia Tech RHP John Goodman. The game will be televised by RSN, which FSN Florida locally.

Game Notes: Miami’s original starting pitcher, freshman LHP Eric Erickson, suffered a hand injury in pregame. He missed his first start since making a debut in the starting rotation against Elon on Feb. 24 … Freshman RHP Alex Koronis made his first career start tonight … Georgia Tech head coach Danny Hall won his 600th game at Tech … Blake Tekotte has hit safely in 13 of the last 14 games for Miami.