NORFOLK, VA—C.J. Chatham had two hits and three RBI, and Florida Atlantic scored seven runs in the first three innings to defeat the Monarchs, 9-4 Friday evening in a Conference USA contest at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. FAU is 23-22 overall and 11-14 in C-USA, while ODU falls to 27-19 overall and 13-12 in the league.
The Monarchs were led by senior firstbaseman Josiah Burney who had three hits, scored twice and knocked in a run with a double to plate P.J. Higgins in the eighth inning. Sophomore Connor Myers knocked in two runs in the fifth with a double to bring home Nick Walker and Burney. Senior outfielder Josh Eldridge singled home Burney in the seventh inning.
The FAU Owls had 14 hits on the night. C.J.Chatham knocked in three runs. He doubled home two runs in the first and belted a solo homer in the eighth. Secondbaseman Stephen Kerr had three hits and an RBI, while Brendon Sanger, Tyler Rocklein, and Mitch Morales each had two hits on the night.
The Monarchs had 13 hits, but left 16 runners on base, including the bases loaded in the second and third innings. Freshmen Nick Walker and Kurt Sinnen, along with seniors Ben Slaton and Josh Eldridge each had two hits for ODU.
Burney raised his batting average to .321, while Walker is now hitting .318 and Eldridge is at .275.
Jeremy Strawn (4-5) picked up the win for FAU as he fanned three and gave up two runs on seven hits. The two teams play Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
FAU 421 001 010=9-14-0
ODU 000 020 110=4-13-2
FAU-Strawn, Archer,(6),Miller(8), Logan(8) and Meyer
ODU- Roberts, S. Sinnen(2), Bishop (5), Tomchick(7), Benitez(7), Bainbridge(9) and K.Sinnen
HR: FAU- Chatham(4)
WP: Strawn(4-5) LP: Roberts (3-3)