ATLANTA '— Georgia Tech baseball got off to a rocky start to the 2024 season, but rebounded in a 21-8 win over responded Radford on Friday night at Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium.
The Yellow Jackets (1-0) fell behind 6-0 in the first inning, but rallied in the bottom half to pull within one thanks to a Matthew Ellis double, Bobby Zmarzlak bases-loaded walk and RBI singles from Trey Yunger and Mike Becchetti.
From there, RHP Ben King (1-0) put up back-to-back zeroes on the board to steady the wild season opener, which allowed Tech’s offense to heat up more as the Jackets scored five more runs in the third, including three home runs. The White and Gold continued to mash, putting up crooked numbers in the sixth (three) and seventh (six) to pull away and score an Opening--Day-record 21 runs.
At the plate, Yunger led the way, finishing 4-for-6 with a home run and whopping six RBI. Payton Green also went 4-for-4 with a home run, while freshman Drew Burress launched two home runs in his first collegiate game for two RBI.
Cam Jones and Becchetti also turned in two hits, a home run and two RBI apiece, while John Giesler mashed two doubles to score two more runs. Ellis rounded out the multi-hit efforts with an RBI, while Bobby Zmarzlak drove in two runs and Vahn Lackey homered in his first collegiate at-bat.
On the mound, King got the win, pitching 2.2 innings with just three hits and two runs against him. Freshman RHP Tate McKee carried the baton for the next 2.1 innings, surrendering just one hit and striking out two, while RHP Dawson Brown and RHP Caden Gaudette combined for 3.0 scoreless innings and six punchouts between them to close.
The Highlanders (0-1) were led by Zach Whitacre, who finished 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI, while RHP Trey Ludy (0-1) took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in 1.1 innings of work.
The Jackets return on Saturday, Feb. 17 against Radford. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. and will be broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.
