BOCA RATON, FL—ODU sophomore righthander Sam Sinnen (VIrginia Beach, VA.) pitched and senior designated hitter Josh Eldridge (Lorton, VA.) hit to lead the Monarchs to a 15-3 victory over 14th ranked Florida Atlantic. ODU is now 4-2 against the nation’s top 20 teams after pounding out 15 hits. The 15 runs equaled the most this season by ODU (15 in a game vs. Charlotte) and is the most runs FAU has allowed this year.
Sinnen (4-2) pitched seven innings allowing three runs on seven hits with two walks and three strikeouts to run his record to 4-2. Eldridge knocked in five runs, hitting a three-run homer for the second straight game. Freshman Zach Rutherford (Chesapeake, VA.) knocked in four runs on three hits and catcher Mike Perez (Fairfax Station, VA.) knocked in three runs. PJ Higgins (Wallingford, CT.), Rutherford and Eldridge all had three hits on the night.
ODU jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning when Eldridge knocked in Rutherford followed by a three-run RBI double by senior catcher Mike Perez which plated senior first baseman Taylor Ostrich (Carroll, IA.) , Eldridge and sophomore left fielder Joseph Guaragna (Ontario, Canada) for a 4-0 lead.
In the ODU second inning, Rutherford doubled home Nick Walker followed by an Eldridge sacrifice fly RBI which plated Higgins. Rutherford also scored on an error. Eldridge then slammed a three-run homer in the eighth inning.
FAU’s first run came in the third inning on a solo homer by Ryan Miller. Ricky Santiago and CJ Chatham each had two hits for FAU.
ODU and FAU play at 4:00 p.m. Saturday in the second game of the series. Listen to the game live on STAR1310 AM with Ted Alexander providing the play-by-play.
ODU 430 010 061=15=15-0
FAU 001 010 100= 3-8-2
ODU: Sinnen, Busbice (8), Majette(9), Rienerth(9) and Perez, K.Sinnen(9)
FAU:K. Miller, McMay (2), Sanderson(6), House (8), Clemente (9) and R. Miller
HR: ODU- Eldridge(4) ; FAU-R. Miller(1)
WP: Sinnen(4-2) LP: K.Miller (4-2)