Tech’s pitching falters in UNC’s 3-game sweep

Jackets try to get back on track with 4 games this week.

At the start of each week throughout the regular season, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will take a closer look at the Georgia Tech baseball team. Here’s a breakdown of the Yellow Jackets going into the sixth week:

Record: 16-7, 3-3 ACC.

Streak: Lost three.

RPI: 56.

Last week (1-3): Tuesday, won at Georgia State 6-4; Friday, lost at North Carolina 5-4; Saturday, lost at North Carolina 11-5; Sunday, lost at North Carolina 9-2.

This week: Today: at Kennesaw State, 6 p.m.; Thursday: vs. Boston College, 6 p.m.; Friday: vs. Boston College, 6 p.m.; Saturday: vs. Boston College, 1 p.m.

Week in review: A whatcould-have-been sentiment pulsated through the Tech clubhouse after a winless weekend trip to Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels swept the Jackets, who left the bases loaded in the top of the ninth in Friday’s 5-4 loss, then gave up seven runs Saturday after leading 5-4 through 6½ innings in an 11-5 defeat. Four runs in the sixth inning of Sunday’s finale propelled the Tar Heels to an easy 9-2 triumph.

The Jackets had begun the week with a 6-4 comeback victory at Georgia State by scoring three runs in the ninth. Tech’s win streak was nine in a row at that point.

Freshman center fielder Drew Burress now has 14 home runs on the season, most in the ACC and thirdmost nationally. Burress’ 36 RBIs and .966 slugging percentage also lead the Jackets.

But pitching remains an issue for the Jackets, especially on the back end. Tech’s four primary starting pitchers have allowed just 46 of the team’s 113 earned runs.

Week ahead: Tech continues its five-game road trip with a jaunt up I-75 to face Kennesaw State. The Owls (13-10) took two of three from Florida Gulf Coast at home over the weekend and are 4-2 in the Atlantic Sun. Kennesaw also has a series win at Kentucky this season and a win at Clemson.

The Jackets return home Friday to begin a threegame series with Boston College. The Eagles (11-11, 2-7 ACC) have lost four in a row ahead of a trip to Connecticut today and were swept at home by Virginia Tech over the weekend. BC has played just six home games all year.

Tech goes into the week with an RPI that has risen to 56 despite the weekend sweep at UNC. Kennesaw is at 37 and BC is at 72, meaning the next four games loom large as the Jackets continue to chase a return to postseason play.