BOWLING GREEN, KY. -- A three-run Matt Coutney home run highlighted a four-run eighth as Old Dominion rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat Western Kentucky 5-3 to start the final Conference USA baseball series of the year on Thursday night.
WKU (18-34, 7-21) got the scoring going with a run in the fourth as Justin Carlin started it off with a home run to left. The Hilltoppers put up two more in the sixth on a two-run double from Ty Bautisch.
Old Dominion (36-15, 17-11) broke its scoreless run in the top of the seventh as Andy Garriola smacked his 21st home run of the year taking one over the fence in left field. That broke the tie with Ron Walker for second place on the single-season home run list for the Monarchs.
In the eighth inning, the Monarchs put up four runs as Kyle Edwards singled then stole second and third before scoring on a wild pitch as Thomas Wheeler walked. Following a walk to Garriola, Matt Coutney ripped his 24th home run of the year to left field as ODU took a 5-3 lead.
Noah Dean came in the ninth inning to earn his sixth save on the year with two strikeouts in the ninth. That save tied him with Ron Walker (1995-97) for the all-time saves record of 17.
Jason Hartline earned the win in relief for the Monarchs throwing 2.2 innings with four strikeouts and one hit allowed. Coutney was 2-for-4 with three runs driven in, while Garriola scored twice in going 1-for-3.
The same two teams will tangle again on Friday night at 6 p.m. in game two of the series.
Baseball Monarchs Rally To Top WKU 5-3 Thursday Night
