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Georgia Tech Baseball: Jackets look to pick up mid-week win over Georgia Southern

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 08: A general view of baseball gloves ahead of the Philadephia Phillies versus Atlanta Braves during their opening day game at Turner Field on April 8, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 08: A general view of baseball gloves ahead of the Philadephia Phillies versus Atlanta Braves during their opening day game at Turner Field on April 8, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The Georgia Tech baseball team will have a showdown with Georgia Southern on Tuesday night.

After losing two of three to NC State this past weekend, the Georgia Tech baseball team will look to grab another mid-week win on Tuesday evening. The Jackets on Tuesday will begin a four-game home stand looking for their second win against Georgia Southern on the season. The Jackets played the Eagles late last month and picked up 7-1 victory in the process in Statesboro.

RPI Analysis:

Entering Tuesday, Georgia Southern is 12-11 on the season and are winners of four straight including a sweep of Appalachian State. In terms of RPI, the Eagles this season have are ranked as the 112th best team in the nation and have a strength of schedule of 83. It is worth noting however, their non-conference strength of schedule ranks 25th, for comparison the Yellow Jackets rank 15th overall and 53rd in non-conference.

Over their last 10 games, the Jackets are 5-5 despite winning their last four game. In non-conference play, the Eagles are 7-10 which is respectable considering their non-conference strength of schedule. The good news for the Yellow Jackets is Georgia Southern is just 1-7 this season against programs ranked in the top 50 RPI, these teams are also known as “Group 1”. The Jackets currently sit at 42nd in RPI.

The only victory over a Group 1 team for Georgia Southern this season was an 8-3 victory over Georgia in their second game of the season. The Bulldogs now have the 8th best RPI in the country entering Tuesday night.

On the other side for Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets are 3-1 against teams considered “Group 3” this season, with the only loss being to Virginia Tech. Group 3 are all teams ranked between 101 and 150 in RPI.

Pitching Matchup:

Going to the mound for the Yellow Jackets will be freshman lefty Brant Hurter. Last time out for Hurter was a week ago against Auburn. Hurter had his best start against the dangerous Tigers lineup as he pitched five shutout innings. In four starts this season, Hurter is 1-1 with a 7.11 ERA, an ERA he will look to lower on Tuesday night.

The good news for Hurter is that Georgia Southern isn’t an overly explosive team, as the Eagles have only averaged 5.0 runs per game.

On the mound for Georgia Southern will be junior righty Zach Cowart. Cowart has appeared in five game this season for the Eagles but has yet to make a start, marking Tuesday as his first of his career. So far this season, Cowart has pitched in eight innings and has allowed 12 earned runs in the process.

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The Yellow Jackets who have one of their best offenses in the ACC, averaging seven runs per game will have the opportunity to tee off a pitcher who may not have the most confident entering Tuesday evening.