NORFOLK, Va. -- In the opening game of the weekend series, Old Dominion fell to Middle Tennessee, 10-5, on Friday evening at the Bud Metheny Complex.
Middle Tennessee (15-11, 4-3 C-USA) grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, after Old Dominion (9-15, 2-5 C-USA) starting pitcher Brett Smith exited due to injury after facing just two batters. The Blue Raiders carried a 4-1 lead through five, before breaking the game open with a six-run sixth.
Trailing 10-2, the Monarchs threatened in the ninth, scoring three runs before Culver Lamb's lineout double play with the bases loaded and one out ended the game.
Matt Schwarz (3-4, 2B, 2 RBI) led ODU at the plate, while Craig Lopez, primarily a pitcher, picked up the first hit of his ODU career with a pinch-hit single in the ninth.
On the mound, Smith received the loss (0.0 IP, 2 R). Ryne Moore (4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 K) had a strong outing out of the bullpen.
Game 2 is tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET. Morgan Maguire (2-1, 2.97 ERA) will get the start against MT's Carson Lester (2-2, 6.75 ERA).
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