April 1, 2012
WILMINGTON, NC-- Hunter Ridge scored from third base on Matt Keeler's bunt to lift the Seahawks of UNCW (15-12/10-2) to a 4-3 victory in 10 innings. Josh Eldridge andJosh Tutwiler led ODU with two hits each.
ODU got on the board first in the second inning. Senior catcher Joey Burney moved him to third on a groundout, Tutwiler scored on a sacrifice fly RBI by Austin McGowan.
UNCW tied the game in the bottom of the second as Thomas Pope led off with a single, stole second then moved to third on a pass ball and scored on Jake Koenig's groundout. In third inning Michael Bass scored on a two-out RBI single by Andrew Cain.
In the eighth ODU's Drew Coker walked, followed by a double from Josh Wright. Josh Eldridge's fly ball to deep right plated Coker to tie the game at 2-2.
ODU took a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth inning. Josh Tutwiler singled,followed by Austin McGowan with a hit. Senior secondbaseman Brandon Shelton's fly to centerfield brought home freshman pinchrunner D.J. Engler with the go ahead run.
UNCW tied the game in the bottom of the ninth when Tyler Molinaro doubled home Michael Bass with two outs. ODU loaded the bases in the top of the 10th but wasunable to score.
In the 10th Ridge led off with a walk, followed by Josh Abshire who also walked.After a sacrifice to put runners on second and third, Keeler dropped a bunt downand Ridge beat the throw to the plate to win the game.
ODU pitchers fanned eight batters and allowed UNCW only eight hits. Starter PhilMcCarthy pitched five innings and allowed just two runs, one unearned. Erick Bakerpitched two scoreless innings and Dean Ali pitched the last 2.1 innings. ODU is now2-2 in extra inning games.
ODU returns to action Wednesday night when they host N.C. State at 6 pm. at theBud Metheny Baseball Complex.
ODU 010 000 011UNCW 011 000 001
ODU Battery: McCarthy, E.Baker (6), Ali (8) and Tutwiler, Perez(9)UNCW Battery: Ramsey, Lane(8), Seacrest (8), Holden(9),DeLoach(10) and Farber
WP: Deloatch (2-2)LP: Ali (1-2)