RUSTON, LA—Four ODU pitchers scattered seven hits and Josiah Burney belted a three-run homer to lead ODU over Louisiana Tech, 7-2 in the second game of a doubleheader. The victory gives the Monarchs their first Conference USA Series win. LA Tech won the opener on a Tyler Qualls walk-off three-run homer in the 12th, 9-6. ODU is now 14-10 overall and 4-5 in C-USA.
Trailing, 1-0, ODU tied the game in the third on Ben Slaton’s RBI groundout which plated freshman Nick Walker. In the fourth inning, PJ Higgins scored on a groundout fielder’s choice RBI by PJ Higgins, and in the seventh inning Ben Slaton walked and scored on a throwing error on Josiah Burney’s single to give ODU a 4-1 lead.
The Bulldogs cut it to 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh, when Ryan Jones singled home Colby Johnson, then loaded the bases, but reliever Brett Harris pitched out of the jam. The Monarchs opened up the lead in the top of the ninth when senior Josiah Burney belted a three-run homer with Slaton and Walker on base for a 7-2 ODU lead (Burney also belted a three-run homer in the first game and a two-run homer in Friday’s win) .
Sophomore catcher Chris Livers, making his first start of the year led ODU with two hits while Nate Walker and Ben Slaton scored twice. Freshman Turner Bishop picked up the win in relief to improve his record to 2-0.
Josiah Burney hit .500 in the three-game league series with five hits, three homers and 10 RBI along with a 1.500 slugging average and .615 on base average.
ODU plays VCU Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the second annual Key Dog Classic at Hampton’s War Memorial Stadium.
ODU 001 101 103=7-9-1
LA TECH 100 000 100=2-7-2
ODU- Tomchick; Bishop( 5) Harris (7), Gero (9) and Livers
LA TECH: Navari, Bistro(6), Galbraith(8) and Qualls
WP: Bishop (2-0) LP: Navari (3-1)
HR: Burney (5)