AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNichols 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).
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: baseball
Comments
By Beesball cynic
April 10, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Glad you got the first names right this time around. :)
By gt45
April 10, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
Great to see kids so fired up to beat UGA! Let’s carry the MO to the Canes this weekend! Go Jackets-
By TDone
April 10, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets!!!
By E
April 10, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
‘the Coastal Division-leading Hurricanes”. Uh, they’re the number 1 team in the country bright guy. You might want to mention that next time you do a similar article. Oh wait, this is the AJC.
By E
April 10, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
‘the Coastal Division-leading Hurricanes”. Uh, they’re the number 1 team in the country bright guy. You might want to mention that next time you do a similar article. Oh wait, this is the AJC.
By r@mblinwreck
April 10, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
It should also be mentioned that there was a tremendous pitching performance by a true freshman, Deck McGuire. He’s got great stuff.
By Scooter
April 10, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Wow, I’m actually reading an article about Tech’s baseball team on AJC’s Tech web site. I read Tech’s web site every day and this is the first article I can remember reading in along time. I can’t even find hardly anything about the baseball team in the AJC news paper either. Please give us more articles about them. They’re haveing a tremendous season and it’s a shame more isn’t written about them.
By rob
April 10, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
its the ajc what do you expect.
By TC
April 10, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
GT baseball is on fire right now! The win last night against UGA was fantastic. I’ve never been to a game with a better atmosphere. The girls swept UGA in softball too. It was a 3-0 day for GT yesterday. I loved it! Let’s go Jackets! Take it to the Canes!
By Bill
April 11, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
Thanks for covering Tech baseball. Let’s go all the way to Omaha!
By Shut up E
April 11, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
Hey E, chill out. Miami is indeed leading the division, and while they are ranked No. 1, one of those polls they are ranked first in (Baseball America) doesn’t think Tech is a top 25 team at all.
Nice entry Mike — now keep it up :)
By yellowblood
April 11, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
We swept the Pieces of S—t and then had a Tickle Pile you would not believe. A good time was had by all. Now, let’s take care of the ‘canes and another Tickle Pile will be in the offing. THWG!!!
By BADDAWG
April 11, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
WHO CARES ? Sold 241 tickets to your bowl game!!! WHAT A JOKE!!!!!!! TKWS A LOT OF NERVE TO CALL WHAT YOU HAVE A DIVISION 1 PROGRAM!!!!
By BADDAWG
April 11, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
WHO CARES? SOLD 241 BOWL TICKETS!!! WHAT A JOKE!!! SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO CALL WHAT YOU HAVE A DIVISION 1 ATHLETIC PROGRAM!!!!