Tech downs No. 5 Clemson 22-4 to win series

The Jackets carried the momentum from the victory over rival No. 23 Georgia into the weekend as the team took two of three over the No. 5 Clemson Tigers in a crucial ACC series. The Jackets also downed the Georgia State Panthers Wednesday 13-2.

With Clemson and Tech splitting the first two games of the weekend, the Jackets dominated Sunday’s rubber match, winning 22-4. This was the most runs scored this season for the Jackets. The 18-run margin of victory is the largest ever by Tech in the series that dates back to 1902. The Jackets hold the all-time edge against the Tigers at 92-91-3.

Wes Hodges batted 3-4 with three runs scored and eclipsed his career-high in RBIs in a game with seven runs batted in. On Saturday, Hodges drove in six runs. In a span of six plate appearances over Saturday and Sunday, Hodges had three doubles, two homeruns, a walk and 12 RBIs.

“He’s a great hitter and has proven that every year that he has been here,” Tech Head Coach Danny Hall said. “Even though he has not been as consistent as he would like, for the year he is still hitting very good, and is on target to have another great year and had a great weekend. He gave us a great lift [Saturday] and [Sunday].”

The Jackets tacked on eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as they brought 12 batters to the plate. Hall pinch hit for seven starters in the eighth inning, and six of those pinch hitters got hits. One came from sophomore Brad Feltes who hit a three-run homerun, the first of his collegiate career.

Junior pitcher Jared Hyatt got the start in Saturday’s game, but he didn’t get out of the second inning after allowing three runs while retiring just four batters. Sophomore southpaw Tim Ladd replaced Hyatt and shut down the Tigers for 5 2/3 innings and picked up the win. Hodges drove in the go ahead runs with a bases-clearing double to give Tech a 5-3 lead which ultimately turned into a 12-3 win. Hodges also hit a three-run homerun in the eighth inning.

“I just tried to come out today and have some fun, and it seemed to work,” Hodges said.

In Friday’s game, Tech’s top pitcher, Blake Wood gave up six earned runs and lasted only three innings.

Junior lefty Ryan Turner came in relief and pitched very effectively, retiring the first seven batters he faced and allowing just one earned run in 4 1/3 innings of work. Turner’s pitching allowed the Jackets to get back in the game.

“I just knew as good of a hitting team as we have, if I could keep our guys in the game, and keep the score down, we would have a shot at coming back.... But we came up a little short in the end,” Turner said.

In the sixth inning, Tech tied the game by picking up six runs. The team scored on a Danny Payne leadoff homerun, a Whit Robbins grand slam and a Michael Fisher single that drove in Luke Murton.

“I wasn’t really looking for [a specific pitch],” Robbins said. “I was just looking to make contact, and he just hung a curveball that I got a hold of.”

Clemson broke through in the eighth inning, however, as Adrian Casanova’s second double of the game drove in a run to give the Tigers the lead. Tech was unable to get a runner past first base for the final three innings and lost the game 7-6.

The Jackets travelled across town to face Georgia State on Wednesday. Tech knocked off the Panthers 13-2.

Tech freshman Chris Hicks worked a season long 4 1/3 innings while allowing one earned run on six hits. Brad Rulon eventually was credited with the year after coming into the game in the bottom of the fifth.

The offensive attack was led by Payne and Robbins. Payne went 3-6 from the plate with a solo home run in the fifth. Robbins went 3-5 from the plate as well.

Tech plays in Tallahassee, Fla. this weekend as they open up a three-game series against Florida State today and tomorrow at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.