NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion picked up a Conference USA series sweep of Western Kentucky after a 12-8 victory on Saturday afternoon at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. The Baseball Monarchs improved to 16-4 overall and 3-0 in C-USA, while the Hilltoppers fell to 11-8 on the year and 0-3 in league action.
Down 8-5 in the bottom of the eighth, the Monarchs rattled off seven runs on six hits to comeback and secure the win. Connor Myers struck out swinging to open the inning for ODU, but Zach Rutherford followed with a walk. Nick Walker and pinch hitter Turner Bishop then singled to left field to load the bases for ODU. Kyle Beam tied the game (8-8) with a doubled down the right field line and advanced to third on the throw to home plate.
Jason McMurray scored Beam for the go-ahead run (9-8) after a blooper to right field. After a fielding error by the shortstop, the Monarchs had McMurray (2nd) and Nick Lustrino (1st) on base with hard hitting Kurt Sinnen up to bat. Sinnen rose to the occasion and blasted a triple to right field, scoring two more runs for ODU (11-8). WKU sent in John Harman to pitch for Kevin Elder, while Darius Gillus came in to pinch hit for Will Morgan. Gillus recorded his first collegiate hit with a single through the right side, which sent Sinnen home, as the inning ended with ODU on top 12-8.
Western Kentucky had two runners on with just one out in the top of the ninth inning, but Josephs forced a fly out for the final two batters to secure the win for ODU.
ODU scored the first run of the game in the second inning, moving to 12-2 overall when scoring before its opposition. The Tops responded with a run in the fourth and four in the sixth to take the lead (5-1). The Monarchs, for the third time this series, matched WKU with four runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.
Beam finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs, while Sinnen registered the clutch triple during his only at bat to drive in three runs. McMurray also went 2-for-4 on the day with two runs and one RBI.
Jake Josephs moved to 2-1 on the year after pitching 1.1 innings. Kevin Elder was hit with the loss after he allowed seven runs, six of which were earned, on five hits.
ODU returns to action for two midweek games against VMI next week, sponsored by Tidewater Home Funding. The Monarchs will face the Keydets on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 3 p.m at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
WKU | 000 104 030 - 8 13 3
ODU | 010 004 07X - 12 13 3
WKU | Ryan Thurston, Jackson Sowell (6), Kevin Elder (7), John Harman (8)
ODU | Brett Smith, Thomas Busbice (6), Grayson Bailey (6), Joey Benitez (7), Culver Lamb (8), Jake Josephs (8)
Win | Jake Josephs
Loss | Kevin Elder
Save | None