Feb. 19, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. -- Junior lefty Kyle Hald struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings pitched to earn the season-opening victory tonight, dropping Fordham in an 8-2 final. Junior Joe Velleggia added a solo home run in the third inning to help lead ODU to a 1-0 start to the season.
The Rams took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but Old Dominion answered with two in the bottom half and wouldn't look back. Hald allowed just seven hits in the start, earning his fourth career victory in his sixth career start.
Junior catcher Joe Velleggia knocked out the Monarchs first home run of the season and seventh of his career with a solo shot in the third inning. It came immediately following a two-run double from junior transfer Nathan Hartman. The newcomer laced a line drive to the right centerfield wall for the two RBI hit.
In the bottom of the 7th, ODU scored three more runs on a hit batsmen and a pair of walks after a lead-off triple from Chris Buss. Buss would finish the game 3-for-4 to lead the way offensively for ODU, with two RBI and one run scored. Hartman had three RBI in a 1-for-2 day at the plate.
Sophomore reliever Phil McCarthy came in to close the game out, pitching the final 3.1 innings with two strikeouts and one hit allowed for the save.
ODU returns to action tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. for the second game of the series against Fordham.