NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion increased its winning streak to seven games after a thrilling 6-5 victory over VMI on Wednesday afternoon at the Bud Metheny Complex. With two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, Kurt Sinnen drilled one down the right field line to score the winning run and improve ODU’s record to 18-4 overall. With the loss, the Keydets fell to 13-11 on the season.
The Monarchs held a 5-2 lead heading into the ninth, but VMI got three runs in the top of the inning to tie the game. Matt Pita led off with a single through the right side and then Tyler Tharp walked to put the tying runs on base. Both base runners advanced on a wild pitch giving Jacob Jaye the chance to score Pita (5-3). Nathan Eaton, the starting pitcher and designated hitter, added another run to the board by singling to right center to send Tharp home (5-4). Eaton advanced to second after a failed pickoff attempt, while David Geary knocked one down the middle to score him from second base. Nick Hartman ended the VMI threat by striking out the final batter.
The Monarchs responded in the bottom of the ninth with another walk off victory. Justin Hayes opened the inning with a walk, while Connor Myers laid down the perfect sacrifice bunt to move Hayes to second. With one out on the board, the Keydets decided to intentionally walk Nick Walker, putting two on base for ODU. Chris Livers then singled to the shortstop to load the bases with two outs, opening the door for Sinnen to win the game.
Old Dominion once again scored first, putting up two runs in the opening inning. The Monarchs are now 9-0 when scoring in the first inning and 14-2 on the year when scoring before their opponents. Leading 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth inning, pinch hitter Turner Bishop knocked one out of the park for the first time this season to give ODU the 5-2 advantage heading into the final inning.
Myers finished the game 1-for-2 with one run scored, while Hayes led the Monarchs with two RBIs. Overall, ODU registered eight hits and six walks. Joey Benitez pitched a solid five innings for ODU, finishing the game with three strikeouts. Hartman (3-1) was given the win, while Taylor Edens (0-3) suffered the loss for the Keydets.
The Baseball Monarchs will be back in action this weekend for a three-game series in Houston against the Rice Owls. The game can be viewed through riceowls.com, while live stats can be found here. The contest will also be broadcast on STAR 1310 AM in Hampton Roads and on Monarch Media with Doug Ripley on the call.
VMI | 000 100 103 - 5 10 2
ODU | 210 100 011 - 6 8 1
VMI | Nathen Eaton, Jack Gomersall (4), Kyle Staats (6), Blaine Lafin (7), Taylor Edens (8)
ODU | Joey Benitez, Brett Smith (6), Jake Josephs (7), Morgan Maguire (8), Nick Hartman (9)
Win | Nick Hartman
Loss | Taylor Edens
Save | None