Feb. 14, 2003
CHARLESTON, SC. - Sophomore Justin Verlander (Goochland, VA.), the 2002CAA Rookie of the Year pitched a complete game shutout in the first game of the ESPN Radio/Citadel Shootout as the Monarchs defeated Vanderbilt, 2-0 in Joseph Riley park. ODU is now 1-0 on the season.
Old Dominion (1-0) scored the only two runs of the game in the top of the fifth inningwhen senior outfielder Pedro Pena (Haverhill, MA.) doubled in fellow senior Brandon Le Noir(Ocala, FL.). Pena later scored the second run on a squeeze bunt by sophomore JesseSchoendienst. Verlander got the complete game win on 12 strikeouts, two walks and gave up only six hits.
"Verlander was as good as you will see at the college level," Vanderbilt coach Tim Corbin stated. "He was a tough guy to face in the opening game of the season and he did a realgood job of shutting us down today.
Vanderbilt (0-1) threatened in the bottom of the ninth with two on base and only one out,but failed to scored when Verlander fanned Tony Mansolino and Warner Scott to end the game.The Commodores' pitcher Jeremy Sowers pitched well allowing only three hits in seven inningsof work. He fanned eight.
The Monarchs will face last year's World Series runner-up, #14 South Carolina Saturdayat 1:30.
ODU 000 020 000=2-5-0Vanderbilt000 000 000=0-6-0ODU-Verlander and Oehler; Vandy- Sowers, Sues (8), Douillard.
WP: Justin Verlander (1-0)LP: Jeremy Sowers (0-1)