NORFOLK, VA—ODU sophomore Connor Myers had four hits and PJ Higgins and Taylor Ostrich added three each along with the five-hit pitching from six hurlers to lead the Monarchs (20-14) over Wofford (19-15) from the Southern Conference, 15-2 Wednesday afternoon at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
The Monarchs scored all 15 runs in the first four innings. In the first inning Ben Slaton singled, PJ Higgins doubled, and both scored on a triple by Josh Eldridge. Eldridge then scored on a sacrifice fly RBI by Josiah Burney for a 3-0 lead.
In the second inning, the Monarchs had seven singles and pushed across six runs. Jordan Negrini singled in two in that frame for a 9-0 lead. In the third, PJ Higgins singled in two runs and Ben Slaton doubled in a run to help up the lead to 13-0.
Wofford added two runs in the fourth on a two-run double by Carson Waln. ODU added the final two runs in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run single from freshman catcher Kurt Sinnen, scoring Myers and Brian Bashara.
The 19 hits is the second most this season behind the 21 last week against W&M. Nick Walker, Ben Slaton and Brian Bashara each had two hits on the day, while Higgins led with three RBI. Sinnen, Josh Eldridge and Jordan Negrini each knocked in two runs. Myers had four hits in five trips to the plate.
ODU freshman Turner Bishop (3-0) picked up the win in relief. Joey Benitez, Brett Harris, Adam Bainbridge, Brad Gero and Bishop all pitched shutout ball. Junior righthander Greg Tomchick pitched the first four innings. In all, the six Monarchs held Wofford to five hits, with three walks and fanned nine batters.
ODU returns to Conference USA action this weekend against East Carolina beginning Friday night at 6 p.m.
WOF 000 200 000=2-5-2
ODU 364 200 00x=15-19-2
WOF: Accetta, Kulman(2), Milburn(3), Lance(6), Foltyn(6), Huber(8) and Waln
ODU: Tomchick, Bishop(5), Benitez(6), Harris(7), Bainbridge(8), Gero (9) and Higgins, Sinnen (4) WP: Bishop (3-0) LP: Accetta (3-2)