Old Dominion (23-8, 6-6 C-USA) at UAB (21-11, 7-5 C-USA)
Location – Young Memorial Field (Birmingham, Ala.)
Game 1 – Thursday, April 14 at 7 p.m. ET
Game 2 – Friday, April 15 at 3 p.m. ET
Game 3 – Saturday, April 16 at 12:30 p.m. ET
Follow – CUSA.tv (Thurs. & Sat.) | ESPN+ (Fri.) | ODU Sports Radio Network | Live Stats
NORFOLK, Va. – With its biggest win of the season just behind it, the Old Dominion baseball team takes to UAB for a three-game conference series this Thursday through Sunday. The series opener starts at 7 p.m. ET with Friday's game set for a 3 p.m. ET start. Saturday's finale begins at 12:30 p.m. ET. Thursday's and Saturday's games are streaming live on CUSA.tv, and Friday's contest is airing on ESPN+. All three games are being carried on Money Talk 1310 AM 100.9 FM and 97.3 HD2.
Around the Horn
The Monarchs knocked off No. 5 Virginia 9-2 on Tuesday for their first win over a top-10 program since a 5-0 result over No. 10 NC State on Feb. 19, 2016. Tommy Gertner, Henry Hersum, Brad Dobzanski and Jacob Gomez combined to hold the nation's top-scoring offense to two runs on just five hits.
Gertner started and allowed both runs on four hits over 4.2 innings to pick up the win. Hersum spun 1.1 hitless innings, Dobzanski allowed just one hit over two innings, and Gomez slammed the door on the Cavaliers by striking out a pair in the ninth.
Matt Coutney stayed scorching hot with two hits, four RBIs and his 12th home run of the season. The senior from Edmonton, Alberta is now second in the conference in home runs, 10th in RBIs (32) and third in slugging (.729).
As a team, ODU leads C-USA in batting average (.312), doubles (77), homers (67), scoring (9.6), slugging (.574) and stolen bases (49). Andy Garriola is the conference leader and is second nationally with 15 home runs. Garriola also tops the conference with an .817 slugging percentage. Thomas Wheeler has the most stolen bases (15) in C-USA.
Reigning C-USA Pitcher of the Week Blake Morgan will try to repeat the results of his first weekend start on Thursday. The freshman left-hander struck out 10 and allowed no runs on just three hits over six innings last week to pick up his second win of the season. He leads the Monarchs with a 0.98 ERA and is 2-0 with 38 strikeouts over 27.2 innings.
Nick Pantos (4-0, 3.46 ERA) will start on Friday. He paces ODU with 53 strikeouts in 39 innings. Sam Armstrong (2-1, 5.88 ERA) will take the mound for Saturday's finale.
Scouting UAB
The Blazers nearly claimed their own Power 5 upset on Tuesday, dropping a 6-5 decision at Mississippi State in 10 innings. UAB held leads of 2-0, 3-1 and 5-3 over the Bulldogs before allowing a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth. MSU then won the game with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th.
Christian Hall leads the team with a .405 average and 45 hits and is second with six home runs and 30 RBIs. Josh Sears is tops on the team with nine long balls and 32 runs driven in.
Jackson Reynolds (2-2, 2.61 ERA) is getting the start on Thursday. He leads the team with 46 strikeouts. Tyler O'Clair (1-1, 6.06 ERA) then Brooks Walton (4-2, 4.89 ERA) are expected to start the final two games.
The Series
The Monarchs are 12-11 all-time against the Blazers. ODU took two-of-three at UAB the last time out in 2019.
What's Next
ODU plays at William & Mary next Tuesday before a stretch of seven straight home games. The Monarchs welcome Florida Atlantic April 22-24 before hosting Virginia at Harbor Park for the Commonwealth Classic on Tuesday, April 26. Finally, ODU entertains LA Tech April 29-May 1.
As a reminder, voucher books will not be accepted at the Commonwealth Classic. Click here to purchase tickets.
Commonwealth Classic Alumni Event
The Old Dominion University Alumni Association is hosting an event during the Commonwealth Classic game against Virginia at Harbor Park on April 26. The event will take place in a private space in left field. The price of the event is $30 per person and includes a ticket to the game and a buffet. Additionally, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Click here to reserve your spot.
Voucher Books!
The 2021-22 Old Dominion voucher book is available for sale on ynottix.com. Each voucher book contains 25 tickets and is priced at $50, which is a 60 percent savings off the single-game ticket price. Vouchers are good for any regular season home game played at the Bud Metheny Baseball Stadium. Vouchers can be presented at the gate for admission. Single-game tickets can also be purchased for $5.
Click here to purchase the 2021-22 ODU voucher book.
The Extra Finnings Podcast
The Extra Finnings Podcast is back for the 2022 season, which features an in-depth look at the ODU baseball program. Catch the most recent episode of the Extra Finnings Podcast, here.
Baseball Looks to Carry Momentum into Series at UAB
