Georgia Tech Baseball crushes Mercer for sixth straight win

Georgia Tech baseball fans hoping for a sign of the future didn’t need to look far Wednesday night. Under the lights at OrthoGeorgia Park, a wave of freshman firepower carried the Yellow Jackets to a commanding 7-4 win over in-state rival Mercer, extending their win streak to six and solidifying their most impressive season start since 2011.

Freshman right-hander Connor Chicoli delivered a gem, going 7.2 innings — the longest outing by any Tech pitcher this year. Chicoli, who hadn’t started since March 11, allowed just two runs on seven hits, didn’t issue a single walk, and faced the minimum through three frames. His 92-pitch performance not only earned him his first collegiate win but may have secured him a key role down the stretch.

Freshman Will Baker continued his hot streak, blasting a two-run homer in the second inning — his second in as many games and third in his last six. Fellow freshman Drew Rogers followed suit in the fifth with a solo shot, extending his on-base streak to seven games. Caleb Daniel added a double to stretch his hitting streak to eight, showcasing just how deep this rookie class is.

The bullpen sealed the deal, despite a brief hiccup in the ninth. Redshirt freshman Jackson Blakely and two-way standout Alex Hernandez — who earned his second save of the season — slammed the door shut. Hernandez, also a slugger with double-digit homers, pitched the final two outs after spending most of the night in right field.

With a 35-14 record (15-9 ACC) and the best non-conference win percentage since 2010, Georgia Tech is peaking at the right time. The Jackets now turn their focus to No. 20 Louisville for a pivotal series at home — and a celebration of coaching legend Danny Hall’s final regular-season weekend.

With postseason play in sight and momentum surging, there’s never been a better time to pack Mac Nease Park and back the Jackets.