#22 Georgia Tech evens series with Boston College, 9-1

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Boston College Eagles looked to continue the climb up the Atlantic Division standings on Saturday afternoon. Georgia Tech was trying to stop a two-game losing streak and keep pace with Coastal Division leaders North Carolina. The Yellow Jackets called on Connor Thomas to stop the skid and have his team stay even in the loss column with the Tar Heels and Cavaliers.

Thomas (5-1) was up to the task throwing seven innings of five-hit, one earned run baseball. He would walk only one and strikeout four as Georgia Tech (23-12, 10-7 in ACC) defeated Boston College (18-18, 7-10) 9-1. The Eagles went with Joey Walsh (1-4), hoping to get three or four innings from him according to his head coach Mike Gambino. Walsh ran into a little trouble in the second when he was taken deep over the scoreboard in right by Baron Radcliff (4th of the season) to give the Yellow Jackets a one to nothing lead. The real trouble for Walsh (2.1 IP, seven hits, seven earned runs, two walks, two strikeouts) and the Eagles came in the third. Georgia Tech batted around and put a six-spot up on six hits. The key hits in the frame belonged to catcher Kyle McCann and second baseman Austin Wilhite, both coming through with two runs base hits that would end Walsh’s day.

Meanwhile, Thomas was in complete control. Boston College had a couple of opportunities to break through. In both the second and fifth innings, the Eagles had chances to get back into the game. Each time Thomas made the pitch that was needed to get out of trouble. Coach Gambino said, “it’s what aces do”. With the score getting a little lopsided, it did provide BC with a chance to give some guys out of the Eagles bullpen some work. Six relievers would split the rest of the game and give up just two runs on six hits. But, the damage was already done.

Having thrown just 93 pitches, Thomas could have finished the game the way he was going. However, Georgia Tech decided to let a member of their bullpen finishing things off. Micah Carpenter took care of the final two innings allowing one hit and framing the last four Eagles hitters he faced.

The rubber game of the series is on Sunday with the Eagles sending Mason Pelio (4-1) to the mound. The Coach likes his chances with Mason on the hill and with good reason. He has a 1.64 ERA to go along with his record and gives the Eagles a shot at taking this series. And as the coach stated afterward, “it’s about winning the series and getting to the ACC championship tourney”. First pitch is set for one pm.