NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion won its third straight series after picking up a 6-2 victory over Middle Tennessee during its final game of the regular season at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. With the win, the Monarchs improved to 31-20 overall and 14-13 in Conference USA play, while the Blue Raiders fell to 19-33 on the year and 5-22 in the league.
Jason McMurray, Zach Rutherford and Nick Walker led the Monarchs with two hits apiece, while Rutherford and Connor Myers drove in a team high two runs. Relief pitcher Adam Bainbridge earned his third win of the year after going where no ODU pitcher has gone this season, as he pitched seven complete innings. He allowed just four hits during his time on the mound and fanned two batters.
After falling to an early 2-1 deficit after the first inning, the ODU bats came alive in the bottom of the fifth to score five runs on five hits. The five-run inning also marked the 19th time the Monarchs have scored 4-plus runs in one inning. The scoring got started after Waker doubled down the left field line and then scored off a single up the middle by Rutherford (2-2). A Kurt Sinnen single to left field put runners on first and second for Myers, who then blasted the Monarchs' second double of the inning down the left field line to drive in two runs (4-2). McMurray was the last batter that starting pitcher Sam Alton would face, as he knocked a single through the right side to score Myers and give ODU the 5-2 advantage. McMurray then advanced all the way to third base on a passed ball and was sent home of a beautifully executed squeeze play by pinch hitter Darius Gillus (6-2).
Bainbridge and the Old Dominion defense stifled the Middle Tennessee bats the rest of the way, allowing the Blue Raiders to record just four hits over the third, fourth and fifth innings while forcing three up, three down innings in the sixth, seventh and eighth. If AJ Spencer was not hit by a pitch in the top of the ninth, MT would have seen its fourth straight three up, three down outing.
Benefield once again led the Blue Raiders with two hits, including his third home run of the series, and two RBIs. Alton suffered the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on eight hits over his 4.1 innings of work.
Before the contest began, Old Dominion Athletic Director Dr. Wood Selig and Head Coach Chris Finwood took the time to honor the Monarchs' senior class. The ODU seniors have made their mark on the baseball program during their time in a Monarchs' uniform, helping lead ODU to a 124-99 overall record, a 59-55 mark in league action, two conference tournament appearances and a NCAA Regional berth in 2014. The senior class put together a 79-42 record at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex and have won 10 games against nationally ranked teams, including four wins over 2015 NCAA College World Series Champions Virginia.
The Monarchs will be back in action at War Memorial Stadium against NCAA Regional participant VCU at 7 p.m. on Tuesday for the final midweek game of the season. The game will be broadcast on STAR 1310 with Ted Alexander and Doug Ripley on the call, while live stats will be available once the contest begins.
MT| 200 000 000 - 2 6 0
ODU| 100 050 00X - 6 9 0
MT| Sam Alton, Cody Puckett (5)
ODU| Jake Josephs, Adam Bainbridge (3)
Win| Adam Bainbridge (3-4)
Loss| Sam Alton (3-3)
Save| None
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