MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- The Old Dominion baseball team opened the 2016 season at the Caravelle Resort Tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and picked up a 5-0 shutout over the 10th ranked NC State Wolfpack on opening day.
The Monarchs got on the board early, scoring two runs in the first inning. After junior Nick Walker and sophomore Zach Rutherford were walked, junior designated hitter Turner Bishop advanced the runners to second and third base after grounding out to the first baseman. Junior Kurt Sinnen followed with a single through the right side with two outs to score the two runners for ODU.
Walker was once again walked to start the third inning and stole second base, before advancing to third on a throwing error by the NC State catcher. Walker scored on a Bishop fielder's choice. Junior right-hander Sam Sinnen went three-up three-down in the bottom of the third, including a strikeout, to give ODU the 3-0 advantage after three innings of play.
The Wolfpack began to threaten in the bottom of the fourth, but Sinnen shut the door on NC State with a strikeout with two runners left on base. After another quick inning on defense, Sinnen gave way to freshman right-hander Brett Smith at the end of the fifth. Smith began his debut with two strikeouts after a one-out walk in his first inning of his collegiate career.
Old Dominion recorded its first extra base hit of the season after Jason McMurray doubled to right center field in the top of the seventh. Nick Lustrino followed up with the Monarchs second double, placing it down the right field line to score McMurray and give ODU the 5-0 edge over the Wolfpack.
Walker went 2-for-2 with two runs and an RBI to go along with his three stolen bases to lead the Monarchs. Sinnen pitched five innings for the Monarchs and recorded three strikeouts, two hits and two walks after facing 19 batters. Smith finished his first collegiate appearance with four strikeouts in two innings of work. Nick Hartman secured the shutout by fanning three batters in the final two innings. The pitching staff held NC State to a .100 batting average (3-30), including 0-for-15 with runners on base.
The game featured seven pitchers for the Wolfpack that allowed seven hits, seven walks and four errors on the day.
The Baseball Monarchs will be back in action tomorrow at noon against the Kent State Golden Flashes at the Caravelle Resort Tournament. The game will be broadcast on Monarch Media through odusports.com.
ODU | 201 001 100 = 5-7-1
NC State | 000 000 000 = 0-3-4
ODU | Sinnen, Smith (6), Hartman (8)
NC State | Piedmonte, Staley (3), Wilder (5), Orwig (7), Williams (8), Beckman (8), Smith (9)
WP | Sam Sinnen (1-0)
LP | Johnny Piedmonte (0-1)
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