
Photo by: Ryan Greenwood
Georgia Tech Outlasts Louisville in 11 Innings
April 09, 2021 | Softball
ATLANTA - In game two of Friday's doubleheader at Georgia Tech, the Cardinals and the Yellow Jackets battled until the bottom of the 11th when a two-run homer by Cameron Stanford gave Georgia Tech a 4-2 win at Mewborn Field.
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The teams are slated to meet again on Saturday at 7 p.m.
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Georgia Tech (11-19, 5-15 ACC) took an early lead with an unearned run in the first. Breanna Roper earned a leadoff walk, stole second, took third on a groundout and crossed the plate on a passed ball.
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The Cardinals (14-16, 8-11 ACC) answered in the fourth when Celene Funke connected on a leadoff triple and crossed the plate on a groundout by Makayla Hurst to even the score at 1-1.
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In the top of the seventh, Roby took an 0-2 count over the fence in left field to put the Cards on top 2-1. The redshirt junior now leads the team with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs.
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The Yellow Jackets got the run back in the home half of the seventh. Tricia Awald led off with a hit and moved to third on an error after Emma Kauf's single. A passed ball sent Awald home to tie the game at 2-2.
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Neither team was able to push a run across in the next three and a half innings though Louisville had runners on in the eighth, ninth and 11th. Georgia Tech also moved a runner to third in the tenth, but the Cardinals' defense stood strong.
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In the bottom of the 11th inning, an error allowed Roper to reach and Stanford followed with a walk-off home run to give Georgia Tech the 4-2 win.
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Jennifer Leonhardt (2-5) took the loss, allowing two runs, one earned on three hits and striking out two in 4.0 innings of relief. Louisville starting pitcher Gabby Holloway surrendered two runs, one earned on four hits and struck out two in 6.0 innings. Funke, Roby, Taryn Weddle and Maddy Newman each had a hit for the Cards.
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Blake Neleman (5-5) picked up the win, giving up two earned runs on four hits and striking out three in 11.0 innings.
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The teams are slated to meet again on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Â
Georgia Tech (11-19, 5-15 ACC) took an early lead with an unearned run in the first. Breanna Roper earned a leadoff walk, stole second, took third on a groundout and crossed the plate on a passed ball.
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The Cardinals (14-16, 8-11 ACC) answered in the fourth when Celene Funke connected on a leadoff triple and crossed the plate on a groundout by Makayla Hurst to even the score at 1-1.
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In the top of the seventh, Roby took an 0-2 count over the fence in left field to put the Cards on top 2-1. The redshirt junior now leads the team with 10 home runs and 31 RBIs.
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The Yellow Jackets got the run back in the home half of the seventh. Tricia Awald led off with a hit and moved to third on an error after Emma Kauf's single. A passed ball sent Awald home to tie the game at 2-2.
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Neither team was able to push a run across in the next three and a half innings though Louisville had runners on in the eighth, ninth and 11th. Georgia Tech also moved a runner to third in the tenth, but the Cardinals' defense stood strong.
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In the bottom of the 11th inning, an error allowed Roper to reach and Stanford followed with a walk-off home run to give Georgia Tech the 4-2 win.
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Jennifer Leonhardt (2-5) took the loss, allowing two runs, one earned on three hits and striking out two in 4.0 innings of relief. Louisville starting pitcher Gabby Holloway surrendered two runs, one earned on four hits and struck out two in 6.0 innings. Funke, Roby, Taryn Weddle and Maddy Newman each had a hit for the Cards.
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Blake Neleman (5-5) picked up the win, giving up two earned runs on four hits and striking out three in 11.0 innings.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Blake Neleman (5-5)
L: Leonhardt, Jennifer (2-5)

Batting:
3B: Funke, Celene 1
HR: Roby, Taylor 1
RBI: Roby, Taylor 1 ; Hurst, Makayla 1
SH: Butler, Charley 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Funke, Celene 1 ; Roby, Taylor 1

Batting:
2B: Bailee Zeitler 1
HR: Cameron Stanford 1
RBI: Cameron Stanford 2
SH: Mallorie Black 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Breanna Roper 2 ; Cameron Stanford 1 ; Kinley Stewart 1
SB: Breanna Roper 1
CS: Bailee Zeitler 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
Players Mentioned
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