NORFOLK, VA—The ODU Baseball Monarchs (17-12) pounded out a season high 21 hits led by sophomore P.J. Higgins who had four hits and five RBI to defeat William & Mary, 20-5 Wednesday night at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. The win evens the Optima Health Challenge between the two schools at 40-40. The 20 runs are a season high for the Monarchs as well.
The Tribe led 3-0 in the top of the third, but ODU exploded for nine runs in the bottom half thanks to two RBI hits from Jordan Negrini, PJ Higgins and freshman Nick Walker who belted a two-run homer in that frame for a 9-3 lead.
In all, every Monarch starter had atleast one hit on the night. Higgins also doubled in two runs in the fifth and singled in a run in the eighth. Junior Taylor Ostrich had four hits as well and scored three times with an RBI.
Nick Walker, Jordan Negrini, designated hitter Brett Harris, Josh Eldridge and catcher Mike Perez each knocked in two runs. Walker crossed home plate four times, and finished a triple shy of the cycle with his first collegiate homer, a single and a double.
Senior reliever Brad Gero came on in the fifth and sixth to pick up his third win of the season. The five ODU pitchers fanned eight batters on the night.
W&M (18-9) was led by Nick Thompson with three hits, including a lead-off homer in the first inning, while the nation’s RBI leader Michael Katz knocked in two runs for the Tribe.
ODU returns to Conference USA action this weekend at Florida International beginning (23-6) Friday at 6 p.m. Listen to all the action live on STAR1310 AM on Friday and Sunday with Ted Alexander providing the play-by-play.
W&M 102 020 000=5-10=1
ODU 009 340 04x=20-21-0
W&M: Kauhaahaa, Brown(3), Castner(4), Smith(6), Rutherford(8) and White.
ODU: Alexander, Gero(5), Bishop(7), Ali(8), Overton(9) and Perez, K.Sinnen(7)
HR: W&M- Thompson(8) ODU- Walker (1)
WP: Gero (3-2) LP: Kauhaahaa (0-2)