April 27, 2012
NORFOLK, VA-- ODU (16-25/6-13) freshman outfielder Josh Eldridge (Lorton, VA>) knocked in three runs and three ODU pitchers held VCU (22-20/9-13) to one run for a 4-1 victory over the Rams Friday evening at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. It wasBaseball Autism Awareness night.
Freshman Connor Overton (Mechanicsville, VA.), sophomore Dean Ali(Chesapeake, VA.) and junior Brandon Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) scattered seven hits with just two walks and seven strikeouts. Ali picked up his second win of the season and Smith his second save.
ODU scored three runs in the third inning as Josh Eldridge, the CAA Rookie of theWeek singled home senior shortstop Josh Wright (Bridgewater, VA. and Kenny Belgrave (Norfolk, VA.). Senior Chris Baker (Chesapeake, VA.)then knocked in fellow senior Brandon Shelton (Chesapeake, Va.) with a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.
VCU scored in the fourth as Joey Cujas was brought home on a Taylor Buran single.
In the fifth inning Josh Wright led off with a walk, then moved all the way aroundto third on Brandon Shelton's sacrifice bunt. Eldridge fly to left brought himhome for a 4-1 lead.
ODU made the best of just five hits along with three walks and two hit by pitchesfor its four runs. Josh Wright led the Monarchs with two runs scored. VCU was led by Bill Cullen with two hits on the night.
Both pitchers, ODU's Overton and VCU's Ryan Farrar played at Richmond's Atlee HighSchool. Farrar pitched 7.2 innings with five strikeouts in the defeat.
The two teams play again on saturday night at 6 p.m. which is ODU Alumni Day. AllODU Baseball Alumni will receive free admission with free food, drinks and snacks.
VCU 000 100 000=1-7-0ODU 003 010 00x=4-5-0
VCU Battery: Farrar, Morrison(8) and AbrahamsonODU Battery: Overton, ALi(4), Smith(8) and Tutwiler
WP: ALi(2-3) LP: Farrar(4-3),SV: B.Smith (2)