Georgia Tech softball downs Kennesaw State, 3-0

Release from Georgia Tech Athletics:

The Georgia Tech softball team (13-23) defeated the Kennesaw State Owls (23-13), 3-0, behind senior pitcher Kylie Kleinschmidt’s one-hit gem Wednesday at Bailey Park on Lexi’s Day.

Kleinschmidt settled into the game early and fanned five batters through the first two innings. She tallied 14 strikeouts for a new career-high through seven innings and was two off the all-time record.

Morgan Taylor and Kelsey Chisholm both went 2-for-3 with an RBI each to lead the Yellow Jackets. Samantha Pierannunzi added a double and a run, and Karly Fullem was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

“I thought Kylie did really well today,” head coach Shelly Hoerner said. “She was in her zone and pitched a great game today. Her and Courtney Ziese as the battery worked really well together. I’m proud of Kylie for really battling. She’s pitched a lot this season, but she came out today really focused and I thought she did a great job.

“I thought our defense played well especially Karly Fullem and Courtney Ziese. I am very pleased with our offense today.  We executed in the first inning with Fullem coming through with two outs.  Morgan Taylor took advantage of her starting role today and had a great day at the plate.”

The Jackets got on the board in the first inning. Katie Johnsky was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a grounder by Ziese. Johnsky scored from second on a line drive smoked by Fullem past the Owls’ second baseman to give Tech the 1-0 lead.

The Jackets had a two-out rally in the top of the fourth. Pierannunzi smacked her seventh double of the season to kick off the rally. Taylor and Chisholm roped back-to-back singles to score Pierannunzi and Taylor, giving Tech the 3-0 advantage.