Baseball extends ACC streak

Tech opened their conference season in fine fashion as they swept Duke in three games over the weekend in Durham. The Jackets improved to 11-2 for the season and 3-0 in conference play behind some good pitching and even better hitting. Freshman Matt Wieters was the star of the weekend as he had 12 hits, including a grand slam, in the series. All of the Tech starters on the mound picked up wins and deservingly so as they gave up just two earned runs all weekend. Ironically it was Tech ' s ace, Jason Neighborgall, who was guilty for the pair of runs.

Neighborgall remained unbeaten for the season as he threw five effective innings to pick up the win in the opening game. He did give up six hits and five walks, but he got Duke out when it mattered as he punched out a career high 12 batters to escape with only two earned runs allowed. Third baseman Wes Hodges did not display his usual power, but he did get on base with every at-bat with four hits and two walks.

Tyler Greene hit Tech ' s only home run in the fifth, and Wieters warmed up his bat for the series with three hits including a RBI double in the third. Behind Neighborgall ' s arm and Tech ' s strong perfomrance at the plate Duke fell 11-3 in the first game.

Lee Hyde was the most impressive starter for Tech in this series; he pitched six shutout innings and fanned seven just giving up only three hits. Wieters replicated Hodges ' performance from the first game, as he got on base everytime he was up with four hits and two walks.

The game was won behind Tech ' s timely hitting and strong pitching by Hyde. Tech managed to plate 11 runners on 17 hits with just three extra-base hits.

Duke ' s Eric Baumann hit the only home run of the game in the seventh for Duke. Wieters almost undid all the good work he did with the bat when he came in to relieve Hyde in the seventh. Duke may have found no answer for Wieters ' bat, but they had no problems with his arm as they lit him up for five earned runs on six hits in just 1.2 innings, giving Duke a glimmer of hope. Jordan Crews came in and shut the door on the Blue Devils to get the last four outs and his first save of the season. Tech pulled the game out 11-5 when all was said and done.

Almost as if to make up for his poor pitching performance, Wieters went five for five, including a grand slam in the fourth, to help Tech comfortably secure a series sweep in the final game against Duke. Again, Wieters proved to be an impossible puzzle to solve for Duke ' s pitchers as he didn ' t record a single out for the second game in a row. Adding to the offensive barrage were Michael Fisher, Danny Payne and Greene who all homered for Tech. Throw in an impressive start by Blake Wood who threw six innings and gave up a single run while striking out six and a bullpen that only gave up a pair of runs when the game was well in hand in the final inning,and the recipe for a 19-3 rout was complete.

Tuesday against William & amp; Mary Tech turned in another powerful performance. The Jackets were led by Jeremy Slayden ' s pair of home runs and six runs batted in. Overall the Jackets nailed six home runs in the contest against the Tribe.

Tim Gustafson recorded the win for the Jackets in his first career start. He worked five innings and allowed four earned runs. Freshman Tim Ladd was credited with the first save of his career. He pitched the final four frames for Tech and allowed only two hits.

Wednesday against Georgia Southern, Tech completed a four-game regular season sweep of the Eagles with a 17-6 win. Slayden had three hits and Greene drove in four runs for the No. 8 Jackets.

Ryan Turner earned the win for the Jackets by working five solid innings and only allowing two earned runs. He kept Georgia Southern to only four hits and struck out six in the victory.

For his superlative performance over the weekend Wieters was named ACC Player of the Week. Tech ' s sweep of Duke extends their winning streak in conference play to 19, which is a new school record and two short of the conference record. Tech will try to break that record when they play their first home conference series, hosting Wake Forest this weekend.