LEXINGTON, VA. – Matt Coutney, Robbie Petracci and Kenny Levari each drove in two runs, while the Monarchs swatted three home runs on Tuesday as Old Dominion held off VMI 8-6 in a non-conference matchup.
With the win, head coach Chris Finwood moved into second place on the all-time wins list for ODU with his 322nd victory. He surpassed Mark Newman who was 321-167-3 over nine seasons from 1983-89.
VMI (16-36) got on the board first with a pair of runs in the second inning on a RBI single from Justin Nase. He scored as Trey Morgan doubled down the right field line to put the hosts up 2-0.
Old Dominion (35-15) cut the deficit in half on one swing in the top of the third as Josh Trujillo smacked a solo home run to right as the Monarchs trailed 2-1. The Keydets got that run back in the bottom of the fifth with two outs as Ty Swaim doubled to left field to score Brett Cook who earlier singled.
The Monarchs broke the game open with a five-run sixth inning highlighted by a pair of two-run home runs. Jared Hancock doubled to left center and scored on a one-out single by Coutney. Following a strikeout, Petracci blasted a two-run home run for a 4-3 ODU lead. Brock Gagliardi followed with a single, then Levari joined the home run party with a two-run shot of his own for a 6-3 lead.
ODU added a run in the seventh as Jared Hancock hit a one out single and went to third on a Trujillo single. Coutney followed with a fielder's choice to force out Trujillo and score Hancock.
VMI made a run in the eighth scoring three runs, but the Monarchs used a bonus run as Trujillo walked and went to third on a failed pickoff attempt before scoring on a wild pitch.
Hancock, Levari and Trujillo all had two hits each for the Monarchs, while Hancock and Trujillo scored two runs apiece. Trey Fisher took the win for ODU, while Brett Smith earned his first save.
ODU now heads to WKU for a three-game series starting Thursday night to close out the regular season.
Baseball Holds Off VMI For 8-6 Win
