NORFOLK, VA—The ODU Baseball Monarchs (10-7/1-2) host eighth ranked and defending Conference USA Champion Rice Owls (15-7/6-0) in a three-game league series beginning Friday night at 6 p.m. at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. Friday’s contest will be Military Appreciation Night to honor all those past and present who have served our military.
Listen to the games live on STAR1310 AM with ODU Director of Broadcasting Ted Alexander providing the play-by-play.
During the game, the Monarchs will recognize all military personnel and veterans in attendance during pre-game ceremonies, the national anthem, and a special performance of “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch. Also, members of ODU’s ROTC units will unveil an oversized American flag during the national anthem.
Tickets to the game are just $5 at the gate or purchase an ODU season voucher book for $50 and receive 32 admissions to any home baseball games. For Service Appreciation Night, the first 200 members of the military and their families will receive FREE tickets to the game by showing a military ID at the ticket gate and they will also be treated to a FREE cookout in Rally Alley.
Last year, the two schools played three one-run games out of the five, including extra inning affairs of 17 and 10 innings. ODU split two games with the Owls in the C-USA Tournament, winning 3-2 and losing in the semifinal round, 7-5.
The Owls are led by pre-season Player of the Year senior catcher John Clay Reeves (.393/3 HR/ 26 RBI) and pre-season Pitcher of the Year, junior lefthander Blake Fox (2-0/3.54). Under the direction of head coach Wayne Graham Rice has advanced to 20 straight regional appearances, seven College World Series appearances, including the 2003 National Championship. Graham is in his 24th season at Rice.
The Monarchs are led by C-USA Player of the Week, outfielder Josh Eldridge (.379/2 homers), senior catcher Mike Perez(.360), senior first baseman Taylor Ostrich (.356/13 RBI) and junior outfielder Connor Myers (.351/12 RBI). ODU senior pitcher Greg Tomchick was named C-USA Co-Pitcher of the week after his one-hit performance at Western Kentucky last week.
The probable starting pitcher matchups are as follows:
Friday – RHP Greg Tomchick(2-1/2.21 ) vs.LHP Kevin McCanna (2-1/2.43)
Saturday – LHP Joey Benitez (0-1/5.28) vs. LHP Blake Fox (2-0/3.54)
Sunday – RHP Nick Hartman (0-1/8.25) vs. RHP Austin Orewiler (3-0/2.61)
Since, 1998, ODU is 4-4 against the nation’s top Ten teams, having beaten previously No. 1 Virginia two consecutive times. The Monarchs also beat then No. 2 North Carolina, 8-6 in 2008 and No. 8 South Carolina, 15-10 in 1998.
Saturday’s game is scheduled for 3 p.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday.