March 9, 2007
HARRISONBURG, VA-- Behind the hitting of junior designated hitter David Burns (Jacksonville, Fl.), senior outfielder Nick Erdman (Leola,PA.) and the pitching of sophomore righthander Dan Hudson (Virginia Beach, VA.) the Monarchs of Old Dominion (12-7/1-0) defeated the Dukes of James Madison (1-11/0-1), 8-2 Friday afternoon at Long/Mauch Stadium. The series is a rematch of the top two teams in the CAA's regular season of a year ago.
ODU took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Anthony Shawler(Chesapeake, VA. )singled home Burns and Jake McAloose (Virginia Beach, VA.). In the sixth, ODU scored three more runs capped off with a two-run hit by Erdman, scoringCameron Scott (Culpepper, Va.) and Shawler.
The Monarchs increased the lead to 8-2 when Burns slammed a three-runhomer in the top of the ninth with Mike Zahm (Omaha, NE.) and Keenan aboard. It was Burns fifth home run of the season which currently ties him with Jason Bauer and ScottKrieger of George Mason for the CAA lead.
Dan Hudson won his third game of the season, striking out 11, walkingjust two and giving up six hits. Ryan Bergh (Reddick, Fl.) came on in the ninth, striking out two batters.
Chris Keenan, freshman Jake McAloose, the CAA Rookie of the Week and David Burns each had two hits on the day for ODU. Burns, knocked in three runs, whileShawler and Erdman had two runs batted in.
The Dukes were led by the 2006 CAA Player of the Year, National Co-Player of the Year and All-American outfielder Kellen Kulbacki with three hits, including two doubles and an RBI. The two teams will play game two of the series on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.