May 16, 2006
NORFOLK, VA-- The sixth ranked Cavaliers of Virginia (42-11) rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth to defeat Old Dominion (38-13), 11-10 Tuesday nightat the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. Virginia ranked sixth by the College Baseball Writers, seventh by USATODAY/ESPN Coaches, and ninth byCollegiate Baseball and Baseball America.
Tonight was the final home came for Monarch seniors: Dana Arrowood, Patick Nichols, Justin Gregula, Jesse Schoendienst, KevinGunter, Keith Hahn and Bryan Hansen.
ODU jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first with the help of three walks by Virginiastarter Shooter Hunt and homeruns by Dana Arrowood and Patrick Nichols. Arrowoods'was a two-run shot with Mike Zahm aboard. Nichols, who ranks sixth in the CAA with 15, was a solo shot. Jesse Schoendienst sacrifice fly scored Chris Keenan in the third and Mike Zahm slammed his sixth homer of the season in the fourth to give ODU a8-4 lead.
Virginia rallied and tied the game at eight in the top of the eighth as Tom Hagansingled home David Adams, and Jeremy Ferrell knocked in Hagan after he stole secondbase.
The Monarchs retook the lead in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded, and two out as Patrick Nichols singled home Mike Zahm and Jesse Schoendienst.
In the top of the ninth with Dana Arrowood on the mound, Beau Seabury hita solo homer to right center to make it, 10-9. Mike Mitchell, Brandon Marsh andSean Doolittle each walked to load the bases. After striking out David Adams, TomHagan singled up the middle, scoring Mitchell and when ODU shortstop Jesse Schoendienst' throw went pass firstbase Marshall scored to put the Cavaliers up for good at 11-10.
Virginia relief ace Casey Lambert came on and allowed a singled to Chris Keenan, but shut the door with two strikeouts for his eighth save of the year.
Patrick Nichols led ODU with three RBI's, while Mike Zahm, Dana Arrowood,and Schoendienst each had two hits and two RBI. Sean Doolittle, Tom Hagan, JeremyFarrell led the Cavaliers with two RBI each. Farrell and Beau Seabury each had threehits on the evening for Virginia who hosts Virgnia Tech this weekend.
ODU finishes the regular season with a three-game series at Towson beginningThursday at 3 p.m. The CAA tournament begins May 24th in Wilmington, NC.