April 19, 2012
NORFOLK, VA-- The ODU Baseball Monarchs hit the road to Fairfax, Va. to take on thePatriots of George Mason (25-14/11-7) in a three-game CAA series beginning Friday at 3 p.m.
Winners of two straight ODU is led in hitting by Austin McGowan at .317, followed bysenior Chris Baker at .295 with six homers, and 32 RBI with a .496 slugging percentage. Senior shortstop Josh Wright is hitting .290 with a team best 39 runsscored, 11 doubles, three triples and 73 total bases. Wright has 14 stolen bases which ranks him fifth in the CAA and has a .557 slugging percentage which is fifth best in the CAA,and .436 on base percentage. Wright, Baker and Josh Tutwiler are tied for the team lead with six homers which ranks them fifth in the CAA. Wright hasbeen issued a CAA fourth best 23 walks.
On the mound, ODU is scheduled to start Connor Overton on Friday, Ben Tomchick onSaturday while Sunday's starter has not yet been decided. Sophomore Dean Ali hasa 2.67 ERA with two saves, while junior Erick Baker has a 2.96 ERA, also with two saves. Reliver Brandon Smith is tied for a CAA best 6-1 record with a 4.81 ERA also with one save, while Ben Tomchick has a 4.24 ERA with a CAA best 54 strikeouts in 51 innings of work to rank among the CAA's best.
The Patriots are hitting .275 as a team with 17 homers thus far this season. BrigTison is hitting .371 with 24 RBI, Dan Schafferman is hitting .333 with four homers and 27 RBI. Zack Helgeson is hitting .304 with a CAA best 10 homers and 33 RBI and a .630 slugging percentage.
George Mason is scheduled to throw sophomore Anthony Montefusco (4-2/3.32) on Friday, senior Ryan Pfaeffle (4-3/3.94) on Saturday and A.J. Johnson (5-4/3.59)on Sunday's finale. Mason's team pitching has a 3.87 ERA which is third best in theCAA.
CAA STANDINGSUNC Wilmington 12-3Hofstra 10-5George Mason 11-7Delaware 11-7Towson 9-6W&M 9-9Ga. State 7-8VCU 7-11James Madison 6-12ODU 4-11Northeastern 4-11