After clawing back from an early deficit and seemingly taking the game in hand, the bullpen let down the Cavaliers in the back half of the game to hand the Yellow Jackets the opening game of the weekend series.
Daniel Lynch started the game on the mound for the Hoos and never really had his best stuff. The defense behind him surely let him down as well as Lynch surrendered seven runs over 5.2 innings, but only three of those are credited to Lynch.
After Lynch, Bennett Sousa, Jack Roberts, and Tyler Shambora all came out of the pen in relief, but all were unable to keep Georgia Tech off the board further, surrendering seven more runs (only 5 earned) on 5 hits in 2 full innings. The most telling stat from the three relievers was the 7 walks they combined to issue.
As the Cavaliers’ staff pitches to contact, 7 walks over 2 innings is indefensible.
On the bright side, the offense was able put runs on the board thanks in large part to the top five hitters in the lineup. Clement, McCarthy, Haseley, Smith, and Coman combined for all 12 of the UVa hits, all 7 of the Cavalier runs, and 6 of the 7 UVa RBI on the night. Caleb Knight added a sac fly of his own for the 7th UVa RBI.
Adam Haseley remained scorching hot going 4-5 on the night with a double and a home run. Jake McCarthy added two home runs of his own. And 2 of Robby Coman’s 3 hits were doubles.
If the staff and defense can right the wrongs from Friday (10 walks and 3 errors), while the offense continues to produce, no reason the Hoos won’t be competitive the rest of the weekend.