LEXINGTON, Va. -- Despite getting two home runs from freshman Seth Woodard, the Old Dominion Monarchs fell to VMI, 8-6, on Tuesday night at Grey-Minor Stadium. ODU dropped to 24-13 overall with the loss, while the Keydets improved their record to 18-24.
The Monarchs were the ones to get on the board first, as Connor Myers knocked in his 25th run with a single to right field with the bases loaded. Designated hitter Will Morgan reached on a fielder’s choice as Myers was out at second, but he scored Rutherford in the process to give ODU the early 2-0 lead. Woodard opened the top of the second inning with his first collegiate home run to take on another run for the Monarchs (3-0).
The Keydets answered with a two-out homer from Peyton Maddox in the bottom of the second to knot the score at 3-1, but starting pitcher Jake Josephs closed the inning with his third strikeout of the night. The Keydets continued to threaten the Monarchs in the bottom of the third inning, as VMI had the bases loaded with two outs. Josephs stifled the Keydets once again with a seven-pitch strikeout to shut the door.
VMI registered five runs on five hits and one ODU error in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-3 advantage over ODU, its first lead over the Monarchs this season. ODU cut the lead to two runs (6-4) in the top of the sixth inning after three straight scoreless outings with back-to-back doubles from Turner Bishop and Jason McMurray.
With a 3-2 full count, Woodard struck again, this time with a two-run home run to left center to tie the game at 6-6 in the top of the eighth inning. The homer marked his second of the game and his second of his career.
Relief pitchers Sam Sinnen and Morgan Maguire kept the Keydets scoreless for three straight innings, but in the bottom of the eighth, VMI match ODU’s run count to retake the lead (8-6) heading into the final inning.
In the top of the ninth, the Monarchs had runners on second and third with two outs, but a ground out to first by Justin Hayes ended the game.
Woodard led ODU with a 3-for-4 showing, which included his two home runs. He also added two runs and three RBIs to his stat line. Rutherford, Myers, Bishop and McMurray each recorded a hit for the Monarchs. Brett Smith was hit with the loss after he allowed the go-ahead runs in the eighth inning.
Eaton paced VMI with three hits in four at bats to go along with his two runs and one RBI. Five other Keydets also recorded two hits, while two of them notched a double. Taylor Edens earned the win for VMI, pitching 1.1 innings an allowed just one hit.
The Monarchs will be back in action this weekend in Ruston against the LA Tech Bulldogs at J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. Both the web stream and live stats will be provided by latechsports.com.
ODU | 210 001 020 - 6 7 2
VMI | 010 500 02X - 8 15 2
ODU | Jake Josephs, Culver Lamb (4), Sam Sinnen (4), Morgan Maguire (6), Brett Smith (8)
VMI | TJ Lighton, Jack Gomersall (2), Kyle Staats (6), Blaine Lafin (7), Micah Gorman (7), Taylor Edens (8)
Win | Taylor Edens (2-4)
Loss | Brett Smith (1-2)
Save | None
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