NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion University scored seven runs in the first inning, including a two-run homer from Kyle Beam, en route to an 8-2 win over VMI Tuesday night at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
With the win ODU improves to 17-4 while VMI falls to 13-10.
Connor Myers led off the first inning with a double and quickly scored on a single up the middle by Zach Rutherford. Nick Walker followed by lining a ball to center field that escaped the VMI center fielder for a Walker triple, driving in Rutherford. Beam followed with a massive home run to left field for a 4-0 Monarch lead. Kurt Sinnen continued the hitting spree with a double and moved to third on an error by the VMI right fielder. Justin Hayes drove in Sinnen on a fielder's choice while Turner Bishop, who reached base with a single, was safe on an error by the shortstop. Walker followed with his second hit of the inning, this a single to score Bishop and give the Monarchs a 7-0 lead.
VMI got on the board in the sixth with a Peyton Maddox RBI single.
The Monarchs got the run back in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly by Chris Livers.
The Keydets added a run in the ninth to make the final score 8-2.
Rutherford and Walker combined to go 6-for-9 for the Monarchs while Beam and Lustrino had two hits apiece. Maddox and Jacob Jaye each had two hits for VMI.
Victor Diaz picked up his team-leading third win of the season pitching five shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out two.
The Monarchs and VMI are back in action tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.