Georgia Tech Hoping To Avoid First-Round Collapse

ATLANTA – Georgia Tech third baseman Matt Skole knows about the Yellow Jackets’ recent struggles in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

But Skole, a junior, believes the 2011 team will take an aggressive approach needed to advance to the College World Series.

To get there, Georgia Tech must avoid a collapse at home and win the Atlanta Regional. The Yellow Jackets lost the 2010 title game at Russ Chandler Stadium to Alabama and the 2009 title game to Southern Mississippi.

Skole says the Yellow Jackets “want to get in and get out,” with three straight victories.

Top-seeded Georgia Tech (40-19) faces Austin Peay (33-22) at 7 p.m. Friday. In the 3 p.m. game, No. 2 seed Southern Miss (39-17) plays third-seeded Mississippi State (34-23).