May 6, 2012
WILLIAMSBURG, VA-- The ODU Baseball Monarchs (18-28/8-16) swept the doubleheader fromWilliam and Mary (28-20/11-13) today, 2-1 and 9-4 at Plumeri Park to win its first CAA series of the season. Junior reliever Brandon Smith picked up the save in game one and the win in relief in game two.
In game one, ODU defeated the Tribe, 2-1 behind the pitching of senior BenTomchick (3-4) and Brandon Smith along with a game ending play at the plate in the seventh.
ODU scored two runs in the first inning with two outs. Chris Baker and Josh Tutwiler started it off with back-to-back singles, followed by an RBI single from Austin McGowan which brought Baker home. Tutwiler then scored on a passed ball for a 2-0 ODU lead.
ODU's Ben Tomchick held the Tribe scoreless until the bottom of the sixth. Josh Smith led off The inning from the Tribe with a single and came home on Kevin Nutter's RBI double.
In the bottom of the seventh, W&M's Sean Aiken led off with a hit and pinch runnerJT Castner was sacrificed to second. With two outs, Chris Forsten singled to left field and Castner was thrown out at the plate by freshman leftfielder Josh Eldridgewhose throw to catcher Michael Perez ended the game.
Ben Tomchick finished the game allowing just three hits, one walk and seven strikeouts, while the Tribe's losing pitcher Matt Davenport fanned 11.
GAME TWOODU pounded out 14 hits led by senior shortstop Josh Wright with three along with three RBI from Austin McGowan for the 9-4 win.
William and Mary's Sean Aiken scored on a wild pitch in the second inning to give the Tribe a 1-0 lead.
ODU scored three in the top of the third on a bases loaded double by Austin McGowanwhich plated Brian Bashara, Josh Wright and Josh Tutwiler.
W&M tied the game in the fourth on a two-run double by Ryan Williams. Williams wouldlater score the go ahead run on an ODU throwing error.
ODU re-took the lead in the fifth inning. Chris Baker doubled with one out and camehome on an RBI single by Josh Tutwiler. Tutwiler scored the lead run on Brandon Shelton's sacrifice fly. ODU added two runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Baker which plated Josh Wright and a bases loaded RBI walk by freshman Michael Perez which brought home Baker.
Junior outfielder Kenneth Belgrave slammed his first home run of the season in the top of the ninth. Josh Wright then reached on an error and scored on Josh Eldridges RBI double.
Brandon Smith (8-1) came on in the fifth and picked up his CAA leading eighth win. He finished the game with a flurry, striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth. He fanned six in 4.1 innings of work.
Eldridge, Belgrave Chris Baker, Tutwiler and McGowan each had two hits in the game,while Tutwiler also walked three times.
ODU hosts Longwood Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
GAME ONEODU 200 000 0=2-7-1W&M 000 001 0=1-5-0
ODU Battery:B. Tomchick, B.Smith(7) and PerezW&M Battery: Davenport and Forsten
WP: B.Tomchick (3-4)LP: (Davenport ( 6-4)
Save: B.Smith (3)
GAME TWOODU 003 022 002=9-14-3W&M 010 300 000=4-10-1ODU Battery:G. Tomchick, Huyett (4),B. Smith(5) and PerezW&M Battery: Shain, McCarthy (5), Yates(6),Ingram(6),Wainman(6) and Forsten
WP: B.Smith (8-1)LP: Shain (5-3HR:Belgrave (1)