Feb. 15, 2013
NORFOLK, VA--The Thundering Herd of Marshall scored three unearned runs in the seventh inning to and three pitches held ODU to just three hits in a 3-0 win in the season opener for both teams. Because of bad weather coming, Saturday's game willstart at 1 p.m.
In the seventh inning Gray Stafford, Nathan Gomez and Alredo Brito each knocked in a run for Marshall.Stafford knocked in Aaron Bossi from third for Marshall's first run, Gomez followed with a single up the middle to drive in Isaac Ballou for the second run. The third and final run came on a sacrifice fly by BritoWhich brought home Stafford and a 3-0 lead. Stafford and Gomez each had two hits on the day.
Twice the Monarchs had runners reach third. In the seventh freshman Pat Kane reached on an error, Went to second on a passed ball and then to third on a groundout. In the ninth, 2012 CAA All-Rookie team selection Josh Eldridge tripled to rightcenter with one out, but left stranded there.
Eldridge, ODU's leading hitter last season led the Monarchs with two hits on the day, while firstbaseman Joey Burney also had a hit in the eighth inning.
Monarch starter Dean Ali fanned six in four innings of work. Ali, Brandon Smith and Mike Ney combined for 10 strikeouts on the day. Marshall's staff of Chase Boster, Ryan Hopkins and Matt Margaritonda fanned nine Monarchs.
The two teams play Saturday at 2 p.m. and again on Sunday at 1 p.m.
MU 000 000 300=3-5-1ODU 000 000 000 =0-3-4
MU : Chase Boster, Ryan Hopkins(6), Matt Margaritonda(9) and Matt KirkwoodODU : Dean Ali, Brad Gero(5), Brandon Smith(7), Mike Ney (8) and Mike Perez
WP: Hopkins(1-0) SV: Margaritonda(1) LP: Gero (0-1)