Feb. 28, 2003
NORFOLK, VA. - Tim Allen and Jimmy Board each knocked in two runs to leadDefending MAAC Conference Champion Marist College to a 8-1 victory over Old DominionFriday afternoon in the first of a three-game series. The loss ended ODU's three-gamewinning streak. Marist is 1-0, ODU is 4-3.
ODU scored first as Brent Sollenberger (Chambersburg, PA.) crossed home plateon a Marist error. The Red Foxes then scored four runs on ODU pre-season All-American Justin Verlander in the fifth inning, handing him his first loss of the season.
Eric Johnson singled home Andy Kiriakedes to tie the game. John McGorty then singledhome Matt Griffiths to give Marist a 2-1 lead. With two out, Tim Allen singled to centerfieldscoring McGorty and Eric Johnson for a 4-1 lead. Marist scored four more runs in the top ofthe ninth with the help of a two-run single by Jimmy Board.
Verlander, the CAA Pitcher of the Week went seven innings, tying a season high 12 strikeouts (season opener vs Vanderbilt) with four walks and eight hits. Chuck Bechtel, a 25th round draft pick by the San Diego Padres last year pitched seven innings, fanning five and walking two for their season opening win.
Marist, who was 44-16 last year will throw 2002 All-American and MAAC Pitcher of the Year Chris Tracz tomorrow (1:00 p.m.) against ODU's Ricky Shefka (Kinston, NC.). Shefka was named the CAA Rookie of the Week.
LINESCOREMarist 000 040 004=8-13-1ODU 100 000 000=1-5-2
Marist Battery: Bechtel, Heath(8) and Sidoti.ODU Battery: Verlander, Renfrow(8) and OehlerWP: Bechtel (1-0); LP: Verlander (2-1) Save: Heath