SERIES HISTORY

The two teams have met on only three occasions in school history, that being a three-game series in Atlanta in 2007 ... The Jackets took the opener and finale to clinch the series en route to a 2-1 all-time advantage.

Last Meeting:
Wally Crancer had three hits, including a home run, to lead No. 14 Georgia Tech to a 6-3 victory over Illinois-Chicago on Feb. 18, 2007 at Russ Chandler Stadium. With the win, the Jackets won the three-game series.

UP NEXT
The Jackets return to Atlantic Coast Conference action with a crucial three-game series against Coastal Division co-leader Miami at Russ Chandler Stadium, May 14-16.

QUICK NOTES

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YELLOW JACKETS IN THE RPI
Georgia Tech enters the weekend ranked No. 11 in the nation in the latest Pseudo-RPI (source: BoydsWorld.com). (The NCAA releases its RPI just once a week, and the Yellow Jackets are listed No. 11 in the official RPI released on May 5). The Atlantic Coast Conference is well represented in the most updated RPI, with five teams ranked among the top 20 in the nation. Virginia, ranked No. 4 in the country in the RPI, leads all conference teams while Miami (8), Florida State (10), Georgia Tech (11) and Clemson (13) all rank in the top-25. Only three ACC teams stand outside of the top-75 in the RPI.

A CLOSING TIME

The Jackets have been solid this season when it comes to closing out games. Tech is 28-1 when leading after six innings, and a perfect 31-0 when leading after the seventh. Part of the reason has been the Tech bullpen, which is a perfect 9-for-9 in save opportunities.

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CAUGHT IN A FUNK
The Jackets won a commanding seven-straight weekend series to start the season, going 19-2 in the 21 weekend games. Tech batted .358 and carried a .454 on-base percentage. The pitching staff was just as good, carrying a 2.95 ERA and holding opponents to a .254 average.

The Jackets have struggled in three of their last four series, however, losing three-game sets to Virginia, Virginia Tech and NC State. The team has gone 6-6, hitting just a .254 clip with a .331 on-base percentage. The mound is holding a 5.30 ERA and allowing opponents a .273 batting average.

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GEORGIA TECH MAKING A WISH COME TRUE

The Georgia Tech baseball team will hold its own make-a-wish day for a 16-year old teenager from Woodstock, Ga. Brandon Wimpy, who suffers from cerebral Palsy, will be the honorary captain during Georgia Tech's game this Friday against Illinois-Chicago at Russ Chandler Stadium.

Wimpy's favorite baseball player is junior catcher Cole Leonida, and his wish is to meet Cole and hang out with him before a Tech baseball game. Leonida will also present Brandon with a team autographed batting helmet prior to the game.

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WHITE TO GRADUATE 14 YEARS AFTER TURNING PRO

Fourteen years after signing a professional contract out of high school, Georgia Tech baseball volunteer assistant coach Matt White will receive a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Georgia this Saturday, May 8.

White, the seventh overall pick in the 1996 MLB Draft by the San Francisco Giants, spent 10 years (1996-2006) as a pitcher in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. He joined the Georgia Tech staff on Sept. 1, 2007, and has served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Yellow Jackets ever since.

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1985 ACC CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM TO BE HONORED MAY 15

Georgia Tech's 1985 ACC Championship team will be honored prior to Georgia Tech's game against Miami on Saturday May, 15. Known as the "Joltin' Jackets", the '85 team won the school's first-ever ACC Baseball Title, the first of four straight for the Yellow Jackets.

Tech players will wear throw-back jerseys during the game.

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KINKELAAR NEARING DANCING STARS OF ATLANTA COMPETITION

Georgia Tech baseball assistant coach Tom Kinkelaar has been training at the Daza Dance Academy in Alpharetta, Ga. in preparation for his performance in "Dancing Stars of Atlanta" on Sunday, May 16 at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. Kinkelaar is competing to raise money for Alzheimer's, and has raised $5,063 as of May 2.

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DIETRICH, PLAGMAN NAMED TO ESPN THE MAGAZINE'S ACADEMIC ALL-DSITRICT TEAM

Shortstop Derek Dietrich and first baseman Tony Plagman have been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III first team, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Dietrich and Plagman's inclusion on the Academic All-District team marks the seventh-straight year a Georgia Tech baseball player has received first-team honors. Both student-athletes are now eligible for Academic All-America accolades.