Monarchs Drop Game One to Rutgers, 8-5

WP: John O'Reilly (1-0)
LP: Craig Lopez (0-1)
SV: Max Herrmann (1)
2B: ODU: Kurt Sinnen; RU: Mike Carter, Christian Campbell, Carmen Sclafani
3B: ODU: Zach Rutherford
HR: RU: Tom Marcinczyk

NORFOLK, Va. -- Old Dominion fell to Rutgers, 8-5, in game one of a three-game series on Friday afternoon at the Bud Metheny Complex. 

Old Dominion (6-2) scored a pair of runs on a two-RBI single by Kurt Sinnen in the bottom of the first to take the early lead, but Rutgers (3-5) responded by scoring three runs, all with two outs, in the top of the fourth to take a 4-2 lead.

The Monarchs tied the game back up in the bottom of the fifth, as triple off the left field wall by Zach Rutherford scored Nick Walker and then Culver Lamb scored Rutherford in the next at-bat with an RBI groundout. However, the Scarlet Knights put up two runs in both the seventh and eighth to pull ahead for the victory.

Rutherford finished the day 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI and Sinnen went 2-for-5 with a run and two RBIs. Walker also had a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Sam Sinnen, who returned to his Friday starter role after pitching out of the pen to start the season, went five innings, allowing four runs on six hits, while striking out three. Craig Lopez earned the loss, allowing four runs in two innings of relief.

ODU and Rutgers return to action tomorrow at 2 p.m. for game two at The Bud. Adam Bainbridge will get the start against Serafino Brito.

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Baseball voucher books can be purchased here for $50 and contain a total of 36 ticket vouchers. The ticket vouchers can be used at any of the 36 home ODU baseball games this season, including the Harbor Park game against Virginia Tech and the Key Dog Classic against VCU on May 10 at the Bud Metheny Complex.

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