NORFOLK, VA—ODU split a doubleheader with FIU, winning the opener on national TV, 4-2 behind the pitching of sophomore righthander Sam Sinnen (Virginia Beach, VA.) and losing the nightcap, 4-1.
In game one, Sinnen (5-2) pitched seven innings allowing just four hits and one unearned run with a career high eight strikeouts and sophomore Nick Hartman (Katy, TX.) pitched the last two innings for the save in the Monarchs victory.
ODU junior third baseman PJ Higgins (Wallingford, CT.) doubled home Nick Walker (Virginia Beach, VA.) and Mike Perez (Fairfax Station, VA.) to give ODU a 2-1 lead. In the sixth inning, freshman Justin Hayes (Chesapeake, VA.) doubled home Connor Myers (Middletown, MD.) and Jason McMurray (Des Moines, IA.) singled in Mike Perez for the 4-1 lead.
Higgins had two hits in the game for ODU, while Brian Portelli of FIU led the Panthers with three hits. Edwin Rios knocked in FIU’s second run in the eighth inning. The contest was televised live on the American Sports Network.
In the second game, FIU righthander Cody Crouse pitched eight innings, allowing five hits and fanning five in the Panthers 4-1 win over ODU. Danny Dopico picked up his eighth save of the season in the ninth inning.
ODU scored first in the third inning when Nick Walker singled home Justin Hayes, but FIU scored three times in the fourth on a two-run double by Brian Portelli and an RBI single by catcher Zack Soria. In the seventh, FIU added another run when Rey Perez bunt single plated Zack Soria for a 4-1 lead.
The two teams play the rubber match on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Bud Metheny baseball Complex. Listen to the contest live on STAR1310 AM with Ted Alexander providing the play-by-play.
GAME 1
FIU 010 000 010=2-7-0
ODU 000 022 00x=4-6-2
FIU: Nunez, Cormier (6), Zayas (8) and Escarra
ODU: S.Sinnen, Hartman(8) and Perez
WP: Sinnen(5-2) LP: Nunez(4-4) Save: Hartman(2)
Game 2
FIU 000 300 100=4-9-0
ODU 001 000 000=1-5-1
FIU: Crouse, Dopico(9) and Sosria
ODU: Tomchick, Benitez(4), Busbice(6), Josephs(8) and Perez
WP: Crouse(4-4) LP:Benitez(1-2) Save: Dopico(8)