NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion fell to Middle Tennesse, 10-5, on Saturday afternoon in game two of the weekend series at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. The Monarchs were leading 5-3 by the third inning, but were held scoreless the rest of the way as the Blue Raiders put up seven more runs to earn the victory. ODU fell to 30-20 overall and 13-13 in Conference USA, while Middle Tennessee moved to 19-32 overall and 5-21 in league play.
The Blue Raiders scored first after a two-run homer to left center, but the Monarchs responded by scoring at least a run over the next three innings to take a 5-3 lead. The first run was scored in the bottom of the first off a Connor Myers sacrifice fly to right field. After MT scored its third run in the top of the second, the Monarchs put up three runs after a base-clearing three-run double to left center by Nick Walker. Will Morgan then scored the final ODU run in the bottom of the third with his first career home run to right field with two outs on the board.
Starting pitcher AJ Spencer and relief pitcher Carson Lester combined to retire 18 of the last 21 ODU batters, while the offense posted 12 hits over the last six innings to secure the win.
Morgan led the Monarchs with two hits in four at bats, while Walker drove in a team high three runs. Five Monarchs also registered one hit to reach the team total of seven. Victor Diaz pitched the first five innings and allowed five runs on nine hits, while Joey Benitez was hit with the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.
Blake Benefield paced the Blue Raiders with a 3-for-4 outing that included a home run, a run scored and seven RBIs. Lester earned the win for Middle Tennessee after closing the final four innings with just two hits and three strikeouts.
The rubber match will be played at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex and will be streamed live on Monarch Media and broadcast on STAR 1310. Before the competition begins, ODU will take a moment to honor its seniors on the team with an on-field presentation.
MT| 210 020 140 - 10 17 0
ODU| 131 000 000 - 5 7 1
MT| AJ Spencer, Carson Lester (6)
ODU| Victor Diaz, Joey Benitez (6), Culver Lamb (8), Thomas Busbice (8)
Win| Carson Lester (3-0)
Save| None
Loss| Joey Benitez (1-1)
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