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Thursday, April 10, 2008
Nichols hot as key baseball weekend looms
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thomas Nichols found the perfect time to pull out of his slump. Georgia Tech’s freshman second baseman batted .228 in March and was 1-for-8 through his first three games in April.
But Nichols got a couple of hits in Sunday’s victory at North Carolina, then had an RBI double and an RBI triple in Wednesday night’s victory over Georgia.
“He’s a great competitor and probably had been fighting himself a little bit,” Tech coach Danny Hall said. “He’s a guy you’ve almost got to calm him down sometimes because he really wants to do well. You just convince him, trust your ability and it will all happen for you.”
Nichols really wants it to happen this weekend. His family is from south Florida, and though they moved to the South Georgia town of Leesburg when he was 4 he grew up pulling for the Miami Hurricanes.
“I always liked to see them win, but I’d like to see them lose this weekend,” said Nichols, whose Jackets take on the Coastal Division-leading Hurricanes Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
Another Yellow Jacket with a hot bat: Luke Murton. Murton is on a 10-game hitting streak during which he has batted 19-for-38. That has lifted his average from .240 to a team-leading .352, a huge improvement over last season’s .239.
“There were some things that were bothering me mentally,” Murton said. “I just had to get in a more comfortable mind frame. It took me some time to get there, but I think I’ve gotten there, and I’ve been able to perform.”
Belated congratulations to Brad Rulon, who made his 100th career appearance in the victory over Georgia. Rulon, a senior from Columbus, ranks among Tech’s all-time leaders in winning percentage (.786), strikeouts per nine innings (9.9) and career saves (seven).
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