March 19, 2005
NORFOLK, VA A two run 9th inning ODU rally fell short, and the visiting Princeton Tigers held on for a 7-6 win Saturday afternoon at the Bud Metheney baseball complex. ODU drops it's record to 14-11, and Princeton picked up it's first win of the season, improving to 1-9.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>
The scoring started in the top of the 2nd inning as Stephen Wendell and Matthew Becker both contributed RBI singles to give Princeton a 2-0 lead. The Monarchs responded that same inning, tying the game at 2-2 as Patrick Nichols (Chesapeake,VA) scored on a Tiger's error and Justin Gregula (Washington, PA) hit a sacrifice fly bringing in another run.
With Princeton leading 4-3 in the 5th inning, Bryan Cipolla( Plainview, NY) continued his hot hitting by smashing a solo homer over the rightfield fence, knotting the game at 4-4. The Tigers pulled away in the 7th, taking a 2 run advantage as Adam Balkin and Spencer Lucian plated runs. Princeton added another run in the 8th, to hold a 7-4 lead. ODU started a last inning rally as Evan Chipman's ( Raleigh, NC) single knocked in Chris Keenan( Chesapeake, VA/Great Bridge HS), and a Cipolla double scored Chipman. The rally fell a run short as Princeton held on for a 7-6 victory.
Gavin Fabian pitched 8 strong innings to pick up his first win of the season as he improved to 1-1. Brian Kappel picked up his first save for the Tigers. Hunter Hall (Virginia Beach/Cox HS) took the loss for the Monarchs, as he fell to 2-1 on the year.
The Monarchs host Princeton for game 3 of their non conference series Sunday at 1pm at the Bud Metheney complex.
Line Score:
PRIN 020 200 210 - 7 13 4
ODU 020 110 002 - 6 7 5
WP Gavin Fabian 1-1, S Brian Kappel 1; LP Hunter Hall 2-1
Princeton Battery: Gavin Fabian, Sal Iacono (8.0) Brian Kappel and Iacono (1.0)
ODU Battery: Kyle Dubois, Patrick Nichols (3.2) Hunter Hall and Nichols (3.1) Needham Jones and Nichols (2.0)