NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University hit four solo home runs but Rhode Island scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning to lift the Rams to a 6-5 win Saturday evening at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
"Another good game. The difference has been their ability to hit with two strikes against our bullpen guys," ODU head coach Chris Finwood said. "(Nick) Pantos gave us a really good start again and (Brett) Smith was very good for us in relief. We need to come out tomorrow and play all nine innings better and find a way to win."
With the game tied at four in the top of the 10th inning, Sonny Ulliana delivered a pinch-hit RBI double to put the Rams on top 5-4, and Max Mircovich followed with a single to drive in Ulliana for a 6-4 URI (2-3) lead.
In the top of the 10th, Kenny Levari dropped in an RBI single to cut the score to 6-5, but Jon Morrison forced Thomas Wheeler to fly out to left to end the game.
The Monarchs (4-2) struck first in the second inning with a solo homer from Jared Hancock, his first of the season.
In the fifth inning, Kyle Battle led off with another solo shot and Robbie Petracci followed with a home run of his own to give ODU a 3-0 lead.
Carter Trice knocked his first career homer in the sixth to put the Monarchs on top 4-0.
URI took advantage of ODU mistakes in the fifth as three walks, and an error, sandwiched around a pair of singles netted the Rams four runs to tie the score.
Nick Pantos started for the Monarchs, and went six shutout innings, giving up four hits, while striking out eight. Brett Smith was solid in relief for the Monarchs, pitching 2.1 scoreless innings.
Hancock went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a homer, while Battle was 2-for-4 with a double and the homer.
Morrison earned the win for URI giving up one run in 2.2 innings.
The final game of the series is tomorrow with a 1 p.m. start.
ODU Baseball Falls in Extra Innings to Rhode Island, 6-5
Jared Hancock