MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Two early runs and another shutout by the Old Dominion University baseball pitching staff led the Monarchs to a 2-0 win over Kent State Saturday afternoon at the Caravelle Resort Tournament.
The last time ODU recorded back-to-back shutouts was in 1995 when they defeated Towson 7-0 and then Liberty, 5-0. The last time the Monarchs began the season with consecutive shutouts was in 1992, when they beat Coppin State 12-0 and 10-0.
The Monarchs started the scoring in the first inning as Kurt Sinnen delivered a two-out single to score Zach Rutherford for the early 1-0 lead.
ODU added an insurance run in the second as Grey Finwood worked a one-out walk and stole second. He moved to third on Justin Hayes' grounder to shortstop while Hayes reached on an error by the shortstop to put runners on the corners. Connor Myers knocked a sacrifice fly to right field to score Finwood for the second and final run of the game.
The game then turned in to a pitcher's dual as the Monarchs did not allow a Kent State runner to reach third base until the ninth inning. A pair of two-out singles put runners on first and third, but reliever Nate Matheson came on to strike out Tim Dalporto to end the game.
Jake Josephs earned the win for the Monarchs, pitching five innings, allowing four hits and striking out one. Culver Lamb came in for Josephs and followed with a solid 3.2 innings of work, giving up three hits and striking out five while Matheson struck out his only batter to earn the save.
The Monarchs take on Appalachian State tomorrow at 4 p.m. in the final game of the tournament.