April 9, 2009
NORFOLK, VA-- The Monarchs hit the road for the third straight weekend as they face Georgia State in Atlanta. First pitch Friday is 6 p.m. The teams will also play on Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Panthers (21-10, 4-2) are off to the best start in school history. They took two of three from Delaware on the road last weekend. In midweek action, GSU fell at Auburn 4-2 and swept Alabama State at home. Georgia State leads the CAA in runs (283) and walks (164) and their pitching staff leads the league in strikeouts (272). Senior Marc Mimeault has been a big contributor this season for the Panthers, batting .402 with 5 HR and 25 RBI. Senior Chase Childers has also been big for GSU, adding 4 HR, 34 RBI, batting .373 and is 8-for-11 in stolen bases. Sophomore Aidan Francis is 2-0 with a 2.14 ERA in 11 appearances (21 innings pitched), recording 2 saves and striking out 22.
The Monarchs (10-17, 4-5) won their first CAA series of the year last weekend as they took two of three from James Madison in Harrisonburg. ODU scored 10 runs in the fifth inning Saturday to outlast JMU 14-10. On Sunday, freshman Ben Tomchick pitched into the ninth innings limiting the Dukes to only three runs while striking out six to lead the Monarchs to victory 6-3. Monday's contest against Elon was rained out. On Tuesday, ODU dropped their annual scholarship exhibition game to the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore Orioles AAA affiliate) at Harbor Park 2-0.
Josh Wright was named CAA Rookie of the Week. Wright batted .375 (6-16) and scored six runs in ODU's five games last week. In ODU's three game series at JMU, he hit .385 with two doubles, two homers, four runs scored and five RBI.
Jake McAloose leads the team with a .375 batting average along with 3 HR and 17 RBI. Donnie Corsner has knocked in 23 RBI with 5 HR and a .309 batting average. Freshman Ben Tomchick (2-3) has a 3.02 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 47-plus innings of work for the Monarchs. ODU leads the CAA in fewest number of errors (31) and team fielding percentage (.969).
ODU leads the all-time series 7-4. Last season, the Panthers took two of three from the Monarchs in Norfolk.
Probable Starters
Game One:Brett Harris RHP (3-3, 4.78)The freshman has thrown two complete games on the season. Against Madison last weekend, Harris gave up six runs on12 hits, striking out four, in seven innings taking the loss.
Robinson Polanco (2-0, 5.03)Polanco was not great last weekend, but pitched well enoughto get the win a 19-10 slugfest. He pitching five innings,giving up six hits, five runs, seven walks and five strikeouts.
Game Two:Brady Burchill RHP (2-2, 5.13)Burchill has won his last two starts, beating Delaware andJames Madison on the road. He allowed six runs (five earned)on six hits in six innings against the Dukes picking up the win.
Will Palmer RHP (3-2, 3.76)Palmer has been the most consistent pitcher so far this season forthe Panthers. He earned a win Saturday giving up six runs on nine hits,with three walks and seven strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.
Game Three:Ben Tomchick RHP (2-3, 3.02)Tomchick pitch into the ninth inning on Sunday at Madison. He allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out sixin the win. The freshman leads the team in ERA.
Ryan Moore (3-1, 5.19)Moore pitched six solid innings on Sunday at Delaware,but did not receive a decision. He gave up six hits, four runs (three earned), walked two and struck out seven.
CAA STANDINGSGeorge Mason 7-2Georgia State 4-2VCU 4-2Delaware 5-4UNCW 5-4Northeastern 5-4Towson 3-3ODU 4-5JMU 4-5W&M 3-6Hofstra 1-8