NORFOLK, VA—Old Dominion University (27-18) sophomore Connor Myers knocked in three runs and freshman Nick Walker drove home two while four pitchers scattered four hits as the Monarchs defeated No. 1 Virginia, 8-1 Tuesday night before a record home crowd of 2,937 at Harbor Park in downtown Norfolk.
The win was the Monarchs first ever over a number one ranked team (ODU beat second ranked North Carolina, 8-6 in 2008). The Cavaliers fall to 37-9.
Virginia led 1-0 on a John La Prise RBI single which plated Joe McCarthy in the second inning. The Monarchs scored two in the third when Ben Slaton and Nick Walker scored on a Virginia error.
In the sixth, Josh Eldridge tripled down the rightfield line to score Taylor Ostrich, then Connor Myers followed with a single to bring home Eldridge for a 4-1 ODU lead.
In the eighth, ODU broke the game open with four runs. Connor Myers doubled home Josh Eldridge and Taylor Ostrich,then Nick Walker doubled home Tyler Urps and Myers for an 8-1 lead.
ODU senior righthander Brett Harris (1-1) pitched the first five innings for the win, allowing three hits, one walk and one strikeout. Dean Ali, Conner Overton and Brad Gero finished the game in relief, allowing just one hit.
Josh Eldridge, Connor Myers and Taylor Ostrich each had two hits for the Monarchs, while La Prise led Virginia with two hits. The Monarchs return to action this weekend with a three-game C-USA series against Florida Atlantic beginning Friday night at 6 p.m. at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
UVA 010 000 000=1-4-4
ODU 002 002 04x=8-9-0
UVA-Lewicki, Jones(7) and Irving
ODU-Harris, Ali(6), Overton(8), Gero(9) and Higgins
WP: Harris (1-1), LP: Lewicki (3-1)