Georgia Tech Baseball looks to send clear message versus Western Carolina

One swing can change everything. Just ask Kent Schmidt, whose 10th-inning walk-off homer last Sunday snapped Georgia Tech’s seven-game skid and reignited a Yellow Jackets squad that’s been electric at the plate all year. Now, with momentum shifting back in their favor, Tech welcomes Western Carolina to Russ Chandler Stadium for a pivotal weekend set.

Offensive Firepower Fueled by Extra-Base Hits

Georgia Tech (30-14, 15-9 ACC) is torching opposing pitchers with a lineup built for damage. The Jackets lead all Power 4 teams in doubles (117) and rank top five nationally in batting average (.319), slugging (.542), and runs per game (8.9). Freshman phenom Drew Burress (19 doubles) and slugger Kyle Lodise (18 doubles) headline a lineup that features six players with double-digit doubles — a testament to their gap-to-gap dominance. Add Burress’s program-top slugging percentage (.759) and you get a relentless offense that wears teams down.

Rebounding with Purpose After Recent Skid

The Jackets may have stumbled through a tough seven-game stretch, but Sunday’s 7-6 thriller over No. 12 Virginia proved they’re far from done. Kent Schmidt’s walk-off and clutch pitching late showed this team still has postseason grit. “We needed that win in the worst way,” said Head Coach Danny Hall, who’s now just three wins away from tying for 9th all-time in NCAA history (1,444). Expect a focused and hungry group aiming to sweep this series.

Key Matchups and What to Watch For

Western Carolina (23-21) enters after a 19-7 midweek win and a red-hot 11-run inning, but they haven’t faced a lineup as deep as Tech’s. Mason Patel (9 wins, Power 4 leader) will headline the rotation, while Lodise and Burress look to continue punishing mistakes. The Jackets are also chasing history: they’re on pace to break the school doubles-per-game mark and could push their all-time season doubles total near the 1994 record (164).

Bottom Line: Georgia Tech has everything to play for — momentum, history, and a postseason push. Expect fireworks at The Flats.