DURHAM, N.C. – In a challenging matchup, the Georgia Tech baseball team (38-16, 18-11 ACC) experienced an unexpected setback, suffering a 14-4 defeat (7 innings) against No. 20 Duke (35-17, 16-12 ACC) on Friday night at Jack Coombs Field. Despite a promising start with a run scored in the first inning, the Yellow Jackets allowed 10 unanswered runs in the first four innings, marking only their second run-rule loss of the season.

Georgia Tech’s Season Performance

With a record of 38-16, the Yellow Jackets are now tied for their best record in the last 15 years, alongside the records from 2011 and 2019. The team boasts an impressive 11-2 record in games decided by run-rule this season, showcasing their strength in early contests. Today’s game also highlighted the team’s continued prowess, bringing their season total of doubles to 138, the most among Power 4 teams.

Offensive Highlights and Individual Achievements

The Yellow Jackets showcased their batting skills with three doubles during the game, contributed by Vahn Lackey, Kent Schmidt, and Kyle Lodise. Georgia Tech’s average of 2.56 doubles per game this season is on track to break the program record set in 1987, further emphasizing their offensive capabilities. Following this loss, the Jackets find themselves in third place in the ACC standings, right behind NC State and North Carolina. A win in the upcoming rubber match is crucial for securing a double bye in the ACC Tournament.

Kent Schmidt’s Remarkable Hitting Streak

Sophomore Kent Schmidt continued to impress, extending his hitting streak to a team-high eight games with a solid 2-for-4 performance. This marks his 19th multi-hit game out of just 33 appearances, indicating a strong consistency in the batter’s box. Schmidt also hit his 16th double of the season, which indicates a potential path to a record-setting total if he can stay healthy for the remainder of the season.

Strong Contributions from Teammates

Junior Kyle Lodise made significant contributions with a two-run double in the fifth inning, bringing his season total to 20 doubles. This ties him with teammate Drew Burress in extra-base hits across the ACC. Lodise leads the team with 55 RBIs, joined by Burress and Hernandez who also have 55 and 58 RBIs respectively, setting a notable benchmark for the team.

Pitching Performances Amid Challenges

On the mound, freshman Connor Chicoli made his first weekend start, though he exited early. Freshman Adam McKelvey stepped in to conclude the fifth inning effectively. Notably, redshirt sophomore Riley Stanford made his return after a 20-game absence due to injury, impressively throwing consistent 96 mph fastballs. His scoreless sixth inning performance marked his 10th appearance of the season, achieving a career-high 30 strikeouts.

Looking Ahead: Final Game and ACC Tournament

As the Yellow Jackets prepare for the final game of the series against Duke, they aim to secure a double bye in the ACC Tournament. The game is set to begin at 3 p.m. on ACC Network, with Tech starting the reigning ACC Pitcher of the Week, Brady Jones. Following the regular season, the ACC Tournament will be held next week at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

Support for Georgia Tech Athletics

The “Full Steam Ahead” initiative represents a $500 million fundraising goal aimed at enhancing Georgia Tech athletics. This initiative will support transformative projects, including renovations to Bobby Dodd Stadium, the Zelnak Basketball Center, and O’Keefe Gymnasium, among others. The Georgia Tech community is encouraged to participate and contribute to the advancement of the athletic program. Detailed information can be found at atfund.org/FullSteamAhead.

For the latest updates on Georgia Tech baseball, follow the team on Twitter (@GTBaseball), Facebook, Instagram (@gt_baseball), or visit www.ramblinwreck.com.