RICHMOND, VA. (April 16) -- Solid complete game pitching performancesfrom Shawn Weaver(Loganton, Pa.) and Mike Hoover (Gloucester,Va.) propelled OldDominion past Virginia Commonwealth on Sunday at The Diamond. The Monarchs won the first game, a seven-inning affair, 2-1, then took the second contest by a final of 3-1.
The two complete games were the first for ODU since season openeragainst South Carolina, by Brian Ross who is currently on the injured list.
Old Dominion opened the first game with a run in its first at-bat,as TimHummel's (Montgomery, NY.) sacrifice fly scored Brent Sollenberger(Chambersburg, Pa). The Ramstied the score at one in the bottom of the second when second baseman Chris Gerrity (Midlothian, Va.) singled home left fielder Kevin Elrod(Mechanicsville, Va.), who had reached base by doubling down the rightfield line.
The game remained deadlocked until the top of the seventh, when theMonarchs got the game winning run off of back-to-back doubles from JaredMusolf(Lakehurst, NJ.) and Jeff Eure(Pillow, Pa.). Mike Hoover then closed outthe game for Old Dominion on the mound to notch a complete game and pick up his first Collegiate win of the season. Hoover scattered five hits and struck out three without a walk. Losing pitcher Jason Dubois of VCU (Virginia Beach, Va.)allowed just one earned run and struck out four while surrendering just five hits.
The victory in the first game was the 200th as a head coach for OldDominion's Tony Guzzo. He is 201-119 in six years at Old Dominion.
The second game also proved to be a pitcher's duel. With one out, Old Dominionloaded the bases after two batters were hit by pitches and the third reached on anerror. A single by Tim Hummel brought in two runs,Travis Silver and Brent Sollenberger. Jared Musolf followed with a double tobring home David Vilardi (Fishkill, NY.) and give the Monarchs a 3-0 lead.
Cory Bauswell put the Rams on the scoreboard with his fifth home run of theyear, making the score 3-1 in favor of Old Dominion. Virginia Commonwealthwould get no closer as the Monarchs' Shawn Weaver pitched gave Old Dominionits second complete game of the day, going all nine innings and strikingout seven Rams. It was the first time since 1996 the Monarchs have won a CAAseries from the Rams.
Virginia Commonwealth now stands at 27-16 overall and 4-8 in ColonialAthletic Association play. Old Dominion is 23-16-1 on the season with a 9-6mark in conference play. Old Dominion host William andMary Tuesday night in a non-conference game at 7:00 p.m.
Game OneODU 100 000 1 2-5-0VCU 010 000 0 1-5-0
ODU Battery:Mike Hoover and John Oehler
VCU Battery:Jason Dubois and Cory Brauswell
WP:Hoover(1-1) LP:Dubois (5-3)
Game TwoODU 003 000 000 3-5-0VCU 000 000 100 1-6-3
ODU Battery:Shawn Weaver and Travis Silver
VCU Battery:Bo Acors, Marc Fisher(3) and Cory Bauswell
WP:Weaver(6-4) LP:Acors(2-4)
HR:VCU-Bauswell(5)