April 20, 2013
NORFOLK, VA--Josh Eldridge, Jordan Negrini and Michael Perez slammed homers and Andy Roberts pitched seven scoreless innings to lead the Monarchs of Old Dominion (20-18/10-10) to a 10-1 Colonial Athletic Association victory over the Tribe of William and Mary (26-15/9-5) at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
The win gives ODU the series and the overall athletic title in the Optima Health Challenge between the two schools,for the second year in a row. ODU wins the Challenge, 65-55.
ODU designated hitter Ben Slaton double home Ben Verlander in the first to put the Monarchs up 1-0.
In the second inning Ben Verlander singled home Jordan Negrini for a 2-0 lead. With the bases loaded sophomore Josh Eldridge continued to be a thorn in the Tribe's side as he belted a grand slam homer. Last night, Eldridge knocked in the game winning runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Junior shortstop Jordan Negrini hit a solo homer in the third and ODU added three more runs in the eighth on a two-run homer by Michael Perez and a sacrifice fly RBI by Eldridge.
The Tribe got on the scoreboard in the ninth on an RBI single by Thomas Pulisic which plated Ryan Hissey.
ODU junior lefthander Andy Roberts (3-3) pitched seven scoreless innings allowing just five hits, two walks and striking out five. Freshman Jake Joseph's fanned three in relief.
Negrini and Verlander both had three hits, while Slaton and Perez had two hits each. Eldridge knocked in five runs on the day. In all, ODU pounded out 12 hits and handed Tribe ace John Farrell (7-1) his first loss of the season.
The third and final game of the series is Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
The final 2012-13 Optima Health Challenge goes to ODU for the second year in a row winning, 65-55 by taking this weekend's baseball series between the two. The Optima Health Challenge is running score of all the direct competitions between W&M and ODU. For the second consecutive year, the Tribe and Monarchs have partnered with title sponsor, Optima Health, for the Challenge.
Standings W&M ODUFootball --- 10M.Soccer 10 ---W. Soccer 10 --Field Hockey 10M.Basketball 10 --W. Basketball 5 5M.Swimming --- 10W. Swimming 10 ---Lacrosse --- 10M.Tennis ----- 10W. tennis 10 ---Baseball --- 10Totals 55 65School needs 65 points to win challenge
W&M 000 000 001=1-7-1ODU 151 000 03x =10-12-0
W&M- Farrell, Castner(6), Gaouette(8) and HisseyODU - Roberts, Baker(8), Joseph's(8) and Perez.
HR:-ODU- Eldridge(4), Negrini (2), Perez (3)WP: Roberts(3-3) LP: Farrell(7-1)