The Monarchs (25-16-1, 10-6 CAA) got on the board first, collectingfour runs in the second inning off Pirate starter Jason Mandryk. Joe Troilo(Avondale, Pa.)doubled and scored on Ross Robertson's(Chesapeake, Va.) single before JohnOhler(Audubon, NJ.) reached onan error to put two men on. Greiner then hit a three-run shot to give ODU afour-run cushion.
ECU (33-12, 9-4 CAA) rallied for two runs in the bottom of the frameas Erik Bakich doubled and then came around on Clayton McCullough's homerun. For McCullough, it was his first home run since joining the Piratesthis season.
The Pirates added one more in the third to cut the lead to 4-3 asChad Tracy singled and came around on Joseph Hastings' double. From thereJackson held the Pirates in check as he set down 11 straight batters at onepoint. Jackson finished the game pitching 9.0 innings allowing 11 hits andfour runs with one walk and four strikeouts.
Old Dominion got some breathing room in the fifth as the Monarchsplated three runs behind two doubles by Musolf and Hummel and a single by JeffEure chasing Mandryk. This was his first loss of the year.
Ahead 8-3 after six innings, the Monarchs got their final run in theeighth as Greiner hit his second home run of the day, a solo blast to giveODU a 9-3 advantage. ECU rallied in the bottom of the ninth, as Bakich andMcCullough had back-to-back singles to lead off the frame. James Molinari'ssingle with one out scored Bakich to cut the lead to 9-4, but that was allthe Pirates could manage.
McCullough led ECU at the plate going 3-4 with a run and two RBIwhile Bakich and Hastings each had two hits apiece. Tim Hummel(Montgomery, NY.)was 3-5 witha run and two RBI for ODU while Greiner was 2-4 with two runs and four RBI.Hummel is now hitting .419 and JaredMusolf is a .420.
ECU and the Monarchs will meet again on Saturday, April 22 at 7:00p.m. at Harrington Field and will conclude the three-game series on Sunday,April 23 at 1:00 p.m.
ODU 040 031 010 -9-11-0ECU 021 000 001 -4-11-1ODU Battery:Jackson and OehlerECU Battery:Mandryk, Brinson(5), Sears (6) and McCulloughWP:Jackson (4-3) LP:Mandryk (4-1)HR: ODU-Greiner (5th and 6th)ECU-McCullough (1)