Georgia State hands Georgia Tech first loss

Staff Reports, photos by Kameron Taylor

ATLANTA — A historic pitching debut and another early home run weren’t enough to keep Georgia Tech unbeaten Tuesday night.

Georgia State scored nine unanswered runs across the middle innings to hand the Yellow Jackets their first loss of the season, defeating Tech 9-4 at Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium.

Georgia Tech (8-1) appeared firmly in control early behind sophomore right-hander Jackson Blakely, who delivered one of the most impressive first starts in recent program history.

Making his first collegiate start, Blakely worked four scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out nine batters. The performance marked the first time since at least the turn of the century that a Tech pitcher recorded nine strikeouts in a first career start.

The Yellow Jackets grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the first inning when junior Jarren Advincula launched a two-run home run to center field — his first homer as a Yellow Jacket and the 12th of his career.

But momentum shifted quickly after Blakely exited.

Georgia State (7-2) broke through in the fifth inning and continued to apply pressure in the sixth and seventh, scoring nine consecutive runs against the Tech bullpen to erase the early deficit and seize control of the game.

Despite multiple opportunities late, the Jackets were unable to mount a comeback. Georgia Tech loaded the bases in the sixth, seventh and ninth innings but managed only limited damage, falling short in the program’s first defeat under first-year head coach James Ramsey.

Even with the setback, Georgia Tech’s offense continues to operate at a record-setting pace.

The Jackets have scored 130 runs through their first nine games — the most in program history at that point of a season — while averaging 14.4 runs per game. Tech has also recorded 138 hits, a BBCOR-era record, and has hit at least one home run in six straight games.

Ryan Zuckerman led Tech offensively with two hits, including an RBI double in the eighth inning, while Will Baker added his ACC-leading sixth double of the season.

Advincula extended his hitting streak to 10 games, dating back to last season, and remains the only Yellow Jacket to record a hit in every game this year.

Georgia Tech will look to bounce back this weekend when Northwestern visits Atlanta for a three-game series beginning Friday at 4 p.m.