GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA — Facing a seven-run deficit, Georgia Tech scored six runs in the final four frames, but its comeback fell shot in a 7-6 loss Friday to UConn in the first game of the NCAA Gainesville Regional.
Georgia Tech (36-24) fell behind 7-0 after two innings. Junior starter Zac Ryan (3-4) was dealt the loss, allowing six runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings. Relievers Jake Lee and Matthew Gorst combined to allow one UConn hit in five scoreless innings to close the game.
“(Today) was a tough way to go," Georgia Tech head coach Danny Hall said. "Give my guys credit for hanging in there, battling back and having the winning run on base in the ninth. We couldn’t get that next hit to tie (the game) or give us a chance to win it. I thought Jake Lee pitched outstanding to keep us in the game after that 7-run (2nd inning).”
Senior OF Matthew Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a home run and a career-high-tying 4 RBI. It was Gonzalez’s 11th home of the season. He now has 297 career hits and is three away from becoming the third player in school history to amass 300 hits.
UConn’s lone run production came in the 2nd inning, while seven of its nine hits came in the game’s first two innings.
Georgia Tech will play loser of the Florida-Bethune-Cookman matchup at 12 p.m. Saturday trying to stay alive in the tournament.
