Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Overall Rank: #18
Conference Rank: #1 ACC
Georgia Tech Team Page
Head Coach Sharon Perkins (228-85) led the Yellow Jackets to a third consecutive ACC regular season title and begins her sixth season in pursuit of a fourth consecutive ACC regular season title. Tech opens their season February 10 in Tempe, AZ.
2011: 45-12, 18-2
2011 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Sharon Perkins
Field Players:
Shortstop Kelsi Weseman, ACC Player of the Year, leads the returnees after an outstanding season with a .424 batting average, 21 homers and 65 RBIs. Lost through graduation was Christy Jones, the ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Kristine Priebe and Caitlin Jordan. Jones was one of eight Yellow Jackets named Academic All-ACC. She batted .342 and stole 33 of 38 bases. Priebe batted .345, with 14 homers and 48 RBIs while Jordan was the second best hitter on the team at .387. Second baseman Ashley Thomas returns after stealing 27 of 29 bases in 2011
Pitchers:
Hope Rush (12-4, 310 ERA) leads the pitching staff after being bothered by injuries in 2011. Perkins believes that Rush, the elder statesman of the pitching staff, has what it takes, both mentally and physically, to be the ace of a young staff and return to the form that she had her freshman year. The other returning pitcher is sophomore Lindsey Anderson (13-2). Also on the roster are freshmen Kylie Kleinschmidt and 1B/P, Karly Fullem. Rush (.306) also can swing the bat with authority, hitting 12 homers in 2011.
Who To Watch:
Weseman will be among the nation’s top players and is expected to lead the Yellow Jackets again. She could also play some third base this season.
Final Projection:
After hitting a school record 118 homers in 2010, the Yellow Jackets smashed 100 homers in 2011 and finished second in the nation in Division One behind Florida (124). Their team batting average (.323) ranked 14th in NCAA Division One. Rush had a good fall, and if she returns to the form she had her freshman year, then the Yellow Jackets could earn a fourth consecutive ACC regular season title and another NCAA berth.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Kelsi Weseman, SS, 158
Hits: Kelsi Weseman, SS, 67
Home Runs: Kelsi Weseman, SS, 21
RBIs: Kelsi Weseman, SS, 65
Runs: Kelsi Weseman, SS, 51
Stolen Bases: Ashley Thomas, 2B, 27
Wins: Hope Rush, P, 12
Innings Pitched: Lindsey Anderson, P, 108
Strikeouts: Lindsey Anderson, P, 136
Saves: Lindsey Anderson, P, 2
Madness 2012 NPF Draft Rankings:
#5 Kelsi Weseman
