NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion Baseball Monarchs are back in action this weekend, as the team travels to Big 12 opponent West Virginia to take on the Mountaineers in a three-game series. ODU holds a 10-2 overall record, while WVU is 7-3 on the season.
West Virginia holds the 4-1 advantage in the overall series and the last time these two teams met was during the 2004 season. The Mountaineers came out on top by a 7-4 score at The Citadel Tournament. ODU's only win came in 1997, as the Baseball Monarchs defeated WVU, 6-2, at the Ralston Purina/UNC Wilmington Tournament.
HOW TO TUNE IN
All of the games will be broadcast on Monarch Media with Andy Mashaw on the call. Fans can also watch the game online through wvusports.com.
SERIES LINEUP
Friday - 3:00 PM
Sam Sinnen (RHP) vs. Chad Donato (RHP)
Saturday - 3:00 PM
Victor Diaz (RHP) vs. Ross Vance (LHP)
Sunday - 1:00 PM
Adam Bainbridge (LHP) vs. BJ Myers (RHP)
ABOUT ODU
The Baseball Monarchs will enter the matchup with a 10-2 overall record after taking down 2015 Atlantic 10 Champion and Super Regional participant VCU, 3-1, on Wednesday afternoon.
Nick Lustrino and Zach Rutherford both went 2-for-4 on the day, with Rutherford driving in a run. Catcher Kurt Sinnen posted one hit, one run and one RBI in three at bats. Freshman pitcher Brett Smith earned the win for ODU, after pitching in 4.2 innings and fanning three. Nick Hartman picked up his third save of the year, as he closed the final two innings with three strikeouts.
Projected Starters:
Friday: Sam Sinnen (RHP, Jr., 0.56 ERA)
Sinnen has made an appearance in three games this season and boasts a team-leading 0.56 ERA in 16 innings pitched. He has fanned 11 batters, as opponents are hitting just .143 against him. After the first week of competition, he was named the Conference USA Pitcher of the Week, leading ODU to a shutout of nationally ranked NC State.
Saturday: Victor Diaz (RHP, RSr., 2.38 ERA)
Diaz has seen action in four games so far this season and holds a 1-1 record. He has recorded a 2.38 ERA in 11.1 innings pitched and will start in his second game this year. He has also posted eight strikeouts.
Sunday: Adam Bainbridge (LHP, Jr., 3.07 ERA)
Bainbridge holds a 3.07 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched, the second most on the team. He will be making his third start of the season.
ODU LEADERS
Hitting: .375 Connor Myers (11th C-USA)
Hits: 18 Connor Myers (13th C-USA)
Runs: 14 Connor Myers (3rd C-USA)
2B: 5 Connor Myers (2nd C-USA)
3B: 1 Four Players (4th C-USA)
HR: 3 Connor Myers (3rd C-USA)
RBI: 9 Connor Myers
BB: 18 Nick Walker (1st C-USA)
SLG: .667 Connor Myers (4th C-USA)
OBPCT: .554 Nick Walker (3rd C-USA)
SB: 5 Connor Myers (3rd C-USA)
W-L: 1-0 Seven Players
SO: 13 Nick Hartman
ERA: 0.56 Sam Sinnen (2nd C-USA)
Saves: 3 Nick Hartman (2nd C-USA)
CG: None
APP: 7 Nick Hartman (1st C-USA)
ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA
The Mountaineers are off to a 7-3 start to the 2016 season, after splitting a four-game series with Hawaii last weekend. Darius Hill has been West Virginia's main source of offense through the first 10 games with a total of eight extra-bases hits, while driving in 10 runs. KC Huth is second on the team with a .333 average, while also adding two home runs and eight RBIs.
Saturday starter Ross Vance has been the best arm for the Mountaineers, allowing just two runs over 19 innings. Sunday starter BJ Myers is also off to an impressive start, posting a 2-1 record and a 1.71 ERA through three starts. Out of the bullpen, Conner Dotson has made four appearances and is 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA
Projected Starters:
Friday: Chad Donato (RHP, Jr., 3.72 ERA)
Donato has seen action in three games and holds a 0-2 record. He has posted a 3.72 ERA in 19.1 innings, but leads the team with 22 strikeouts.
Saturday: Ross Vance (LHP, Sr., 0.95 ERA)
Vance leads the team with a 0.95 ERA in 19.0 innings pitched, which includes a shutout. He has won all three games in which he has started and has fanned 13 batters. Opponents are hitting just .175 against him.
Sunday: BJ Myers (RHP, So., 1.71 ERA)
Myers holds a 1.71 ERA, which is good for second on the team. He has pitched in 21.0 innings and has recorded a 2-1 record. He ranks third with 14 strikeouts, while opponents average .217 when facing him.
WVU LEADERS
Hitting: .346 Gray
Hits: 14 Hill
Runs: 12 Hill
2B: 5 Hill
3B: 2 Hill
HR: 3 Davis
RBI: 10 Hill
BB: 5 Two Players
SLG: .667 Casserly
OBPCT: .750 Casserly
SB: 3 Guerrini
W-L: 3-0 Vance
SO: 22 Donato
ERA: 0.95 Vance
Saves: 1 Two Players
CG: None
APP: 4 Dotson
SOCIAL MEDIA
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