NORFOLK, VA—The Old Dominion University Baseball Invitational (Feb. 21-23) begins Friday at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex starting at aa am with Kentucky (2-2) against Saint Joseph’s (0-0), followed by the Monarchs (3-2) against St. John’s (1-2) at 4 p.m. The first game was moved up because of the threat of weather in the Hampton roads area.
There will be two games each day. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, youth 17 and under and faculty staff.
The Monarchs enter the tournament with a three-game winning streak. Sophomore outfielder Connor Myers and senior third baseman Jordan Negrini lead the squad in hitting at .333, while sophomore secondbaseman P.J. Higgins and senior DH Ben Slaton have crossed home plate five times each. Myers also leads the team with three stolen bases.
ODU is scheduled to start senior lefthander Ryan Yarbrough (0-0/6.75) on Friday against the Red Storm, sophomore righthander Tommy Alexander (0-0/0.00) on Saturday against Kentucky and senior lefthander Andy Roberts (0-0/2.25) on Sunday against Saint Joseph’s.
St. John’s is coached by Ed Blankmeyer who is in his 19th year with over 600 wins. They are led by righthander James Lomangino and All-BIGEAST infielder Zach Lauricella. Lomangino is scheduled to pitch Friday against the Monarchs. ODU leads the all-time series, 7-5.
Kentucky is coached by Gary Henderson in his sixth season. Last week, the Wildcats opened the season beating top ranked Virginia, 8-3, behind lefthander A.J. Reed (1-0/1.80). Righthander Chandler Shepherd (1-0/3.18) will also pitch this weekend for UK. Outfielder Austin Cousinio is hitting .444 with five runs scored for the Wildcats. ODU and Kentucky are 2-2.
Saint Joseph’s is coached by Fritz Hamburg in his sixth season and are led by righthander Jordan Carter who is scheduled to start Friday against Kentucky and outfielder Chris Hueth who hit .312 last year with three homers and 29 RBI. Braedon Lawson a lefthander is scheduled to start Sunday against ODU. The Monarchs lead the series, 12-2.
ODU BASEBALL INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE
Feb. 21 Kentucky vs. Saint Joseph’s – Noon
ODU vs. St. John’s - 4:00 p.m.
Feb. 22 Saint Joseph’s vs. St. John’s - Noon
ODU vs. Kentucky - 4:00 p.m.
Feb. 23 St. John’s vs. Kentucky – 11 a.m.
ODU vs. Saint Joseph’s – 3:00 p.m.