Virginia Commonwealth came from behind three times.The Rams erased deficits of one,four and three runs before the Monarchs were finally able to hold them offin the 11th frame.
Old Dominionjumped on top by scoring four runs in their half of the fifth to take a 5-1lead, with the help from a two-run single by Tim Hummel (Montgomery, NY.). JaredMusolf and Jeff Eure (Pillow, Pa.) each knocked in one run in that inning.Virginia Commonwealth answered with the second of its three rallies,scoring four times in the seventh to even the score at five all.
The Monarchs would score twice in the eighth as Jason Greiner (Wexford, Pa.)scored on an error and Brent Sollenberger (Chambersberg, Pa.) knocked in TravisSilver(Weaverville, NC.). In the ninth, ODU went up 8-5 as RossRobertson singled in Jeff Eure, but the Rams responded yet again. A single byshortstop Brian Mohr (Petersburg, W. Va.) with two men on scoredone run. Left fielder Kevin Elrod dropped down a sacrifice bunt, butreached base safely after an error by the third baseman, that scoredanother run and the Rams trailed by just one, 8-7. Junior catcher CoryBauswell (Chesapeake, Va.) then singled home Mohr to tie the game. The Ramswould load the bases with two out, but were unable to bring in another run.
Neither team was able to score in the 10th inning. The Monarchs' JaredMusolf led off the 11th with a single then advanced to third on a sacrificebunt and a base hit. Robertson's bunt brought Musolf home with the winning run.
Brent Sollenberger led the Monarchs with a career high fivebase hits in six trips. Joe Troilo added three hits. forthe second time in as many games this week, Jonathon Tinkampicked up the win in relief. ODU starter J.D. Jackson fromSallisaw, OK fanned seven in eight plus innings and allowedonly four earned runs. Matt Davis led VCU with four hits inseven atbats.
The same two teams will meet again on Saturday, withthe game scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
ODU 100 040 021 01 -9-16-4VCU 100 000 403 00 -8-14-2ODU Battery:Jackson, Tinkham(9) and SilverVCU Battery:Martin, Baumann,(7), Edelblut(8),Korn(10)andBauswell.WP:Tinkham(4-0) LP:Korn(3-3)