Georgia Tech’s struggles continue against Georgia

Jackets strike out 15 times in fourth consecutive defeat.

In a season that has not proved satisfying for either team, Georgia got the reprieve Tuesday night. In the first meeting of the season, the Bulldogs defeated archrival Georgia Tech 5-1 at Foley Field.

The Yellow Jackets were powerless against the Bulldogs, scraping together a season-low four hits (all singles) and striking out 15 times. Tech (16-15) has lost four in a row, while Georgia (15-19) rebounded from losing two of three in its weekend series against Missouri.

Tech fell behind in the first inning and never challenged after.

The trouble began with leadoff hitter Tucker Maxwell when left fielder Chase Murray couldn’t hold on to a foul pop-up against the bullpen fence. Given another chance, Maxwell doubled off starter Jonathan Hughes on the 11th pitch of the at-bat. Hughes walked No. 3 hitter Cam Shepherd and then gave up a single to right to cleanup man Keegan McGovern.

Right fielder Coleman Poje’s throw to the plate was slightly up the first-base line, but ahead of Maxwell, running from second. But Maxwell scored when his hard slide knocked the ball out of catcher Joey Bart’s glove. Tech coach Danny Hall removed Hughes one pitch into the next at-bat for Jared Datoc, who gave up a double and a run-scoring ground out that pushed the lead to 3-0.

Had the pop-up been caught or the play at the plate been made, “then you’ve got a chance, but we didn’t do it,” Hall said.

Hughes (1-2) took the loss, continuing a difficult season. He came to campus in 2015 as one of Hall’s mostly highly touted signees. Drafted in the second round out of Flowery Branch High by Baltimore, he chose Tech over a signing bonus likely in the mid-to-high six-figure range. However, he sustained a season-ending elbow injury five starts into his freshman season last year.

His ERA after eight starts is now 5.92. In his past three starts, he has lasted a total of 4⅓ innings with 10 hits, nine walks and nine earned runs.

“I feel for him because he’s working his rear end off,” Hall said. “We just cannot get his command where it needs to be. We feel like it’s got a chance to get there. It’s just not getting there as fast as he wants or as fast as we want.”

Georgia freshman Zac Kristofak (2-1) pitched the first three innings on a staff day and earned the victory. Kristofak skated through three innings in only 15 pitches, giving up just two hits. He has now pitched 13 consecutive scoreless innings.