May 5, 2013
NORFOLK, VA--Ben Verlander's (Maidens, VA.) two-out bases loaded hit in the bottom of the 11th and freshman Tommy Alexander (Forty Fort, PA.) pitched four scoreless innings as Old Dominion defeated George Mason, 5-4 in the final Colonial Athletic Association contest for both schools. ODU wins the series and improves to 26-22 overall and 15-12 in the CAA.
The Patriots led 4-1 going into the bottom of the sixth. ODU sophomore catcher Mike Perez (Fairfax Station, VA.) brought home Josiah Burney (Gloucester, VA.) on an RBI groundout to make it 4-2. The Monarchs tied the game in the seventh inning as freshman centerfielder Connor Myers (Middletown, MD.) tripled, then came home on Verlander's triple to make it 4-3. Josh Eldridge's (Lorton, VA.) sacrifice fly to center field plated Verlander with the Monarchs fourth run.
In the 11th inning Perez started things with a double down the left field line. Designated hitter Tyler Urps (Wilton, CA.) singled to load the bases. Verlander delivered the two-out, game winning hit down the rightfield line to end the contest.
ODU freshman right hander Tommy Alexander (3-3) pitched the final four innings of scoreless ball, allowing only one hit, no walks and striking out five for his third win of the season. ODU starter Andy Roberts (Prescott, AZ.) pitched five innings allowing three hits one unearned run and striking out three.
Verlander, junior third baseman Jordan Negrini (Kihei, Hawaii) and Myers each had two hits on the day. George Mason was led by Patrick Esposito with three hits and two runs batted in. Josh Leemhuis also had two hits for the Patriots.
Verlander is now hitting .372 followed by Higgins at .360 while Josh Eldridgeupped his team best RBI total to 43. Roberts lowered his ERA to 2.71 and Alexander's is now at 4.81.
The Monarchs return to action Friday night when they host Norfolk State at 6 p.m. at the Bud Metheny Complex, then play at NSU on Saturday.
Mason 010 003 000 00=4-6-1ODU 000 101 200 01=5-10-2
Mason - Williams, Maksimow(7 ),Mocabee(8), Cabrera(8) and EspositoODU - Roberts, Yarbrough(6), Alexander (8) and Perez
WP: Alexander (3-3) LP: Cabrera(0-3)