April 2, 2009
NORFOLK, VA-- The Monarchs travel to Harrisonburg this weekend for a three-game series against James Madison. First pitch Friday is 3 p.m. at Mauck Stadium. The teams will also play on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.ODU leads the all-time series 47-39-1. Last season, the Monarchs took two out of three from Madison in Norfolk.
The Dukes (15-13, 3-3) dropped two of three at Towson last weekend. Madison also dropped a 4-0 decision midweek at home to Virginia Tech. Pitching for the Dukes on Friday will be RHP Turner Phelps (5-0, 4.72 ERA), LHP Alex Valadja (2-2, 6.15 ERA) on Saturday and RHP Evan Scott (2-2, 7.01 ERA) on Sunday.
James Madison leads the CAA in hits (328) and stolen bases (64) and is second in batting average (.329). Sophomore David Herbek has been a big contributor this season for JMU, batting .410 with 5 HR and 32 RBI. Junior Matt Townsend is tied for first in the CAA with 10 HR, adding 29 RBI and a .352 batting average. Sophomore closer Kevin Munson (1-1, 3.12 ERA) has 32 strikeouts in 26 innings so far this season to go along with 5 saves.
The Monarchs (8-16, 2-4) took one game out of three at Delaware last weekend. Redshirt senior Brady Burchill won his first game of the season on Saturday, leading ODU past the Blue Hens 9-6. In midweek action, The Monarchs ended the longest winning streak in the nation by downing Liberty 2-1 at home Tuesday snapping the Flames nine-game undefeated run. On Wednesday, ODU suffered a tough loss at No. 5 North Carolina, falling 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Freshman RHP Brett Harris (3-2, 4.32 ERA) will throw for ODU on Friday, while redshirt senior Brady Burchill (1-2, 4.61 ERA) will start on Saturday. Sunday's starter will be freshman RHP Ben Tomchick (1-3, 2.97 ERA).
ODU leads the CAA in fewest number of errors (28) and team fielding percentage (.969). Jake McAloose leads the team with a .348 batting average along with 3 HR and 13 RBI. Donnie Corsner has knocked in 20 RBI with 4 HR and a .320 batting average. Freshman Ben Tomchick (1-3) has a 2.97 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 39-plus innings of work for the Monarchs.
The Monarchs return to host Elon on Monday at 3 p.m. (note the game change fromthe original time of 5 p.m.). ODU then plays their annual Bank of The CommonwealthScholarship game against the Norfolk Tides (Orioles AAA affiliate) Tuesday at7:15 p.m. in Harbor Park.