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2-17-2015

Johnson’s Grand Slam Lifts Yellow Jackets Over Eagles Johnson’s Grand Slam Lifts Yellow Jackets Over Eagles

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Georgia Southern University Athletics

Johnson’s Grand Slam Lifts Yellow Jackets Over EaglesBaseballPosted: 2/17/2015 10:13:00 PMVideo: Coach Hennon Interview

STATESBORO, Ga. – Kel Johnson hit a two-out grand slam as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets rallied to defeat the Georgia Southern Eagles 7-4.

Georgia Tech (3-1) combined for six runs over the final two innings to erase a 4-1 deficit. The Yellow Jackets finished with 9 hits and took advantage of six walksand two hit batters to score five two-out runs.

"Give Georgia Tech credit. They got the big hit and did some good things to battle back and take the lead from us," Head Coach Rodney Hennon said.

After Tripp Sheppard hit Thomas Smith to load the bases in the seventh inning with two outs, Johnson laced a 2-2 pitch off the scoreboard in left field for his thirdhome run of the season.

Sheppard (0-1) allowed three runs on two hits and tallied a third of an inning in his first loss of the season.The grand slam handed Zac Ryan (1-0) his first victory of the season. Ryan scattered four hits over 3.1 scoreless frames and struck out four batters on 60 pitches.

Georgia Southern (3-1) tallied 10 or more hits for the second-straight game. Kody Adams, Spencer Duffie and Jordan Howard all tallied two hits each. Duffie platedthree runs with a pair of singles, while Howard recorded his first two hits of his Eagle career.

"I thought our defense much cleaner tonight than it was on Sunday and that was good to see. We have to pick ourselves up," Hennon said. "We are going to playanother good team this weekend."

The Eagles erased an early 1-0 deficit and led 3-1 after Hunter Thomas drove in a run with an infield single, and Duffie plated two runs with a bloop single to rightfield.

GS extended their lead to 4-1 with another RBI single from Duffie in the sixth inning.

Ryan Frederick got the start for the Eagles and allowed one run on two hits and a pair of walks over 2.2 innings.

The Eagles continue a season-opening eight game homestand this weekend against the West Virginia Mountaineers. First pitch Friday is set for 6 p.m.

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