Feb. 18, 2011
NORFOLK, VA-- Kenny Stoneback's single in the bottom of the eighth plated Josh Wright to break a 5-5 tie and lift the Monarchs of Old Dominion to a 7-5 opening day victory over Saint Joseph's Friday afternoon at theBud Metheny Baseball complex.
The Hawks took a 5-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh when Chris Baker slammed a three-runHomer to right field to tie the game. In the ODU eighth, Nathan Hartman walked and Brandon Frazierfollowed with a single to left. With one out, Stoneback singled up the middle to bring home Hartman.Josh Wright then tripled home Brandon Frazier to push the lead to 7-5.
Senior righthander Adam Wisniewski came on in the ninth and struck out the side for the save. The winwent to reliever Mike Ney who pitched the eighth inning for ODU.
Monarch starter and All-CAA pitcher Kyle Hald fanned eight batters and allowed five unearned runs ina no-decision.
Baker got two hits and three RBI to extend his hitting streak to 29 games, while Stoneback had twohits and three RBI for the Monarchs. Brent Frazier also added two hits on the day with two runs scored.
SJU was led by first baseman Kevin Taylor with two RBI and Mike Muha with two hits and two RBI. Hawks relieverBrett Koliani took the loss as he gave up the two runs in the eighth after Daniel Thorpegave up three runs in the seventh.
The two teams will play a double-header Saturday beginning at 1 p.m.
SJU 000 020 300-5-8-0ODU 010 100 32x- 7-10-4
SJU Battery: Holland, Thorpe(5), Koliani(8) and Silverman& Palmer(8)ODU Battery: Hald, Ney(8), Wisniewski(9) and Tutwiler
WP: New(1-0) LP: Koliani(0-1) SV: Wisniewski(1)HR: Baker (1)