NORFOLK, Va. -- In the third and final game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, the Old Dominion Monarchs dropped a 5-2 loss on Sunday afternoon at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. ODU fell to 9-2 on the season, while Rutgers improved its record to 4-6 on the year.
Old Dominion scored first in the third inning, but the Scarlet Knights took the lead back in the top of the fifth. With runners of first and second, Gaby Rosa laid down a bunt to reach first and load the bases. Jawaun Harris then reached on a fielder’s choice to score John Jennings, tying the game at 1-1. R.J. Devish again reached on a fielder’s choice, but was caught by a perfect throw from Nick Walker to Jason McMurray at second base. However, Mike Martinez scored in the process, which gave Rutgers the 2-1 edge. Zach Rutherford ended the inning after throwing out Chris Suseck, shutting the door with one runner left on base.
The Monarchs tied the game for the second time in the bottom of the sixth. Walker registered his second hit of the game with a single to left field, which gave Rutherford the opportunity to put him in scoring position off a sacrifice bunt. A McMurray single to left field, followed by a Kyle Beam sacrifice fly to center field scored Walker to tie the game (2-2).
Neither team would score in the seven inning, but the Scarlet Knights increased their lead (5-2) after scoring once in the eighth and twice in the top of the ninth. The Monarchs had a chance to put runs on the board in the bottom of the ninth inning, but could not capitalize. With two outs, Nick Lustrino rattled one up the middle and then advanced to second, but pinch hitter Kurt Sinnen flied out to left field to end the game.
Walker led the Monarchs with three hits in four at bats, while scoring one run. Victor Diaz (1-1) suffered the loss after pitching 2.1 innings and allowing one hit and one run to score. Serafino Brito earned the win for Rutgers, pitching 2.0 innings with two hits and two strikeouts. Reed Shuttle entered in the ninth inning and picked up the save for the Scarlet Knights.
ODU will be back in action on Tuesday, as the team travels to Richmond, Va. to take on the VCU Rams. First pitch is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. Live stats will be available at the start of the contest.
Rutgers | 000 020 012 - 591
ODU | 001 001 000 - 282
Rutgers | O’Reilly, Serafino (7), Shuttle (9)
ODU | Bainbridge, Diaz (6), Hartman (8), Maguire (9), Matheson (9)
Win | Brito (2-1)
Loss | Diaz (1-1)
Save | Shuttle (2)