Norfolk,VA -- Old Dominion freshman first baseman Mark Michael (Gibbstown, NJ) nailed a two-out, three-run double in the bottom of the fourth to push the Monarchs past Duke University this afternoon, 9-7. With the win, Old Dominion improves to 6-13 on the year while the Blue Devils fall to 8-13.
Old Dominion started the game strong, scoring four runs in the first and taking a 4-0 lead that would last till the fourth inning, when Duke shortstop Bryan Smith drove in three runs with a two-out double in the top of the fourth. ODU's Michael broke the tie in the bottom of the inning, and senior right fielder Travis Silver (Weaverville, NC) added an insurance run in the seventh when he doubled to center to bring home third baseman Jeff Eure (Pillow, PA).
Old Dominion's J.D. Jackson(Sallisaw, OK) picked up the win to improve to 2-3 on the year while junior John Tinkham (Chesapeake, VA) recorded the save. Duke's Kevin Perry took the loss, dropping to 0-1 on the year.
Blue Devil first baseman Troy Caradonna went 3-3 on the afternoon. Right fielder David Mason finished 2-4 with 3 RBI. Monarch left fielder Jared Musolf finished the game 3-5 while Michael, Eure and shortstop Ross Robertson (Chesapeake, VA) hit 2-4. Michael finished the game with 3 RBI.
Old Dominion will hit the road this weekend when they travel to CAA foe Richmond for a three-game series beginning Friday.