AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 23
Monday, April 23, 2007
A baseball resurrection
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you were among those writing early obituaries for Georgia Tech’s baseball team, it might be a good idea to cap your pen. As Mark Twain allegedly once said, “Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.”
The Yellow Jackets are far from dead.
Since starting the season 9-9 with several disappointing losses (including a sweep at Georgia Southern and losses to Kennesaw State and Georgia State), Tech has won 17 of 22, and 13 of 16. The only losses in the last 16 games were two heart-breakers at Miami and another at Virginia when the home teams walked off the field with victories.
They’re very much in the thick of the ACC, although their remaining series are all against the teams with better conference records (Clemson, North Carolina and Florida State) with a weekend series at South Florida mixed in. They play Georgia at Turner Field tomorrow, and then 10 straight on the road.
Anyway, pitching has been the bedrock. Tech’s hitting .280 in those 22 games, but allowing opponents to hit just .243. More importantly, the Jackets’ ERA in that span is just 2.98. In college ball, with alumnium bats and all, that’s studly.
SS Michael Fisher has an 18-game hitting streak, with a .423 BA in that stretch.
C Matt Wieters has hit in 11 of his past 12 games, with a .465 BA.
CF Danny Payne has a seven-game hitting streak, and a .429 BA in that span. He’s up to .391, and among national leaders in walks per game. His on-base percentage is something like .519, which is absurd.
In the weekend sweep of N.C. State, Payne and Wieters both hit .545, going 6 for 11.
Freshman OF Chris House has a 12-game hitting streak, too.
It appears the young players are settling into their roles. Tony Plagman — a freshman — continues to offer production at first base. Even though sophomore Luke Murton is hitting .244, he’s driving in runs and hitting for power.
If Tech keeps this up, the Jackets may host yet another NCAA regional. They moved back into the national rankings this week, at No. 24.
