March 1, 2008
Norfolk, Va. - Starting opposite Old Dominion preseason All-American Anthony Shawler, Temple's Matt Mongiardini tossed seven shutouts innings striking out four and allowing just three hits as the visiting Owls defeated the Monarchs 5-2 Saturday at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. With the victory the Owls evened the weekend series at a game apiece with the final game set for tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.
The Owls (2-3) got on the board first in the top of the fourth with an RBI single by Sean Barksdale and an RBI double down the right field line by third baseman Matt Heltz to give Temple a 2-0 lead.
Temple added another two runs in the seventh to increase its lead to four, when it appeared that the Monarchs would rally in the bottom half of the inning. After ODU got the first two batters on base with a walk and a hit by pitch, Mongiardini answered by striking out Monarch shortstop Chris Buss and getting catcher Joe Velleggia to pop up to first base. Pinch hitter John Malbon was also hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs for ODU, but Max Most's shot to center field fell 10 feet shy of the fence to halt the comeback attempt.
The Monarchs (3-3) posted two runs in the bottom of the ninth behind a Temple error and an RBI single by Jimmy Miles that scored Chris Baker from second.
Mongiardini (1-0) earned the win for the Owls, while Shawler (1-1) picked up the loss for the Monarchs despite striking out 10. At the plate Bryan Cipolla went 2-for-3 with two doubles for ODU, with teammate Jimmy Miles also recording two hits.