NORFOLK, VA—The ODU Baseball Monarchs open the 2015 season this weekend in Coastal Carolina’s Seventh Annual Caravelle Resort Tournament in the inaugural season of the Springs Brooks Stadium. Click on the Video preview to watch Finwood's interview.
ODU will play the Chanticleers on Friday at 4 p.m. followed by a rematch against pre-season 20th ranked Maryland, who beat the Monarchs in the NCAA Regional last year on Saturday at 6 p.m. and finish out the tournament against Canisius on Sunday at 2:30.
Listen to the games live on ODU's audio stream through Monarch Media (odusports.com). Andy Mashaw will provide the play-by-play. Fans can sign up for the audio stream on the ODU website (odusports.com) for $9.95 per month.
The Monarchs return 16 lettermen from last year’s 36-26 team that advanced to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in 14 years. Returning position starters include catcher Mike Perez (.244/16 RBI), outfielder/firstbaseman Taylor Ostrich (.306/12 2b/ 22 RBI), infielder P.J. Higgins (.308/44 runs/36 RBI), outfielder Josh Eldridge (.295/30 runs/1 HR), outfielder Connor Myers (.239/12 stolen bases), and outfielder Nick Walker (.309/43 runs/4 HR/16 stolen bases).
Both Higgins and Walker have been selected to C-USA’s pre-season All-Conference squad.
Returning pitchers include rightthander Victor Diaz (5-2/3.00 ERA), righthander Sam Sinnen (1-0/2.22 ERA), lefthander Turner Bishop (3-1/2.95 ERA) and righthander Greg Tomchick (1-2/5.94 ERA).
This year’s squad will have 12 newcomers which include: Nick Lustrino (Jr. Inf), from Spring Lake, NJ., Jason McMurray (Jr. Inf.) from Des Moines, IA., Thomas Busbice (JR, RHP) from Omaha, NE, Jared Koenig (Jr, LHP) from Aptos, CA, Kyle Majette Jr. RHP) Williamsburg, VA., Nate Matheson (Fr. LHP) from Hampton, VA., Matt Cogen (Fr. OF) from Franklin, TN., Zach Rutherford (Fr. Inf) from Chesapeake, VA, Derek Francis (Jr. Inf.) from Manhattan, KS.;, Justin Hayes (Fr. OF) from Chesapeake, Va., and Nick Hartman (So. RHP) from Katy, TX.
Maryland, now in the Big 10 will be led by pre-season All-American Brandon Lowe who hit .348 with a .464 slugging average last year. Maryland won the Columbia Regional and took NCAA finalist Virginia to a third and final game in the Super Regional.
Baseball America listed Coastal Carolina as one of the top collegiate programs since 1999. The program’s winning percentage of .685 is ninth-best nationally during that period.
The Golden Griffiins of Canisius are picked to win the MAAC Conference after compiling a 40-16 record last year. They are led by Connor Panas, the 2014 MAAC Player of the Year. He hit .362 with six homers and 51 RBI last year.
PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Greg Tomchick RHP Friday vs. Coastal’s Alex Cunningham (RHP)
Joey Benitez LHP Saturday vs. Maryland’s Taylor Stiles (LHP)
Victor Diaz RHP Sunday vs. Canisius Devon Stewart (RHP)
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Feb. 13 Maryland vs. WKU 11 a.m.
ODU at Coastal Carolina 4:00 p.m.
Feb. 14 Canisius vs. Maryland 10:00 a.m.
WKU at Coastal Carolina 1:30 p.m.
Maryland vs. ODU 6:00 p.m. (NOTE The New Time)
Feb. 15 WKU vs. Canisius 11:00 a.m.
Maryland at Coastal Carolina 1:00 p.m.
ODU vs. Canisius 2:30 p.m.
ODU returns to Norfolk for the home opener on Feb. 18 against East Carolina at the Bud Metheny Complex.