Homers, No-Hitter Leads Georgia Tech Softball Past Savannah State

Release from Georgia Tech Athletics:

Twenty-five runs on 33 hits with five home runs propelled the Georgia Tech softball team (6-8) past the Savannah State Tigers (2-4) in two run-rule victories, 15-7 and 18-0, Saturday. Senior Kylie Kleinschmidt and freshman Christina Biggerstaff combined to throw a no-hit, shut-out in game two.

“The pitchers are doing a great job and they’ve pitched well all weekend,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “Barbie [Christina] Biggerstaff is coming into her own right now, and pitched very well yesterday and again today. Savannah State is a power hitting team, but we made some adjustments and she was in her zone today. There was great support behind her as well.”

The no-hitter combined with yesterday’s combined no-no by the same two pitchers against Mount St. Mary’s marks the first time Tech has thrown two no-hitters in the same weekend since May 15-16, 2003.

The five home runs in game two are the most hit by the Yellow Jackets since hitting five at Boston College on May 4, 2013.

Game 1: Georgia Tech 15, Savannah State 7

The Yellow Jackets broke a 7-7 tie in the fourth inning with six runs on five hits. With the bases loaded, a grounder hit by Jessica Kowalewicz scored the go-ahead run in Courtney Ziese. Malea Bell followed with a two-RBI double to center to make it 10-7 Jackets.

Samantha  Pierannunzi kept the bats alive, hitting a triple to right that brought in a pair of runs and she scored on a bunt-single from Chelsie Thomas to give Tech a 13-7 lead. In the bottom of the fifth, Pierannunzi hit a walk off single through the right side to score the two runs Georgia Tech needed for the 15-7 run-rule victory.

Freshman Emily Anderson (3-3) earned the win, throwing five innings with seven runs on five hits and seven strikeouts.

Ashley Eichenlaub (1-2) was charged with the loss after giving up 11 runs on six hits in 3.1 innings of work.

Game 2: Georgia Tech 18, Savannah State 0

Biggerstaff and Kleinschmidt combined for a no-hit, shut-out in game two. Kleinschmidt earned the start, but was relieved by Biggerstaff in the first inning with no outs. Biggerstaff pitched five scoreless and hitless innings, allowing just one walk and striking out a career-high 10 batters.

The Yellow Jackets blasted five home runs, two by Caitlyn Coffey and three in just the fifth inning. Pierannunzi, who was 3-for-6 on the day with four runs and a triple, hit her second round-tripper of the season, while Maddie Lionberger roped her first on the year and Kelsey Chisholm hit her second this season.

Biggerstaff (2-1) earned the win striking out 10 of 17 batters faced.

The Tigers’ Amanda Hallman (1-2) was pinned with the loss allowing 12 runs on nine hits in 3.0 innings.