NORFOLK, Va. – A power surge from the bats of the Old Dominion baseball team carried the Monarchs (28-9, 10-7 C-USA) to an 11-7 win over visiting Florida Atlantic on Saturday afternoon. In the process, ODU moved into a three-way tie for fourth in the Conference USA standings.
The Monarchs' always-potent lineup notched 12 hits, including five home runs. Matt Coutney left the yard for the eighth time in the last seven games and is now just one off Ron Walker's program record of 20 set in 1997. The reigning NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy National Hitter of the Week was 1-for-4 on Saturday with two runs scored and one driven in.
Andy Garriola made up ground on Coutney in the home run record chase with two homers against the Owls (24-16, 10-7), including a grand slam in the bottom of the third. The outfielder from Sierra Madre, California was 2-for-4 with two runs and five RBIs and now has 18 long balls on the season.
ODU starter Nick Pantos was perfect in the first inning, but FAU ambushed him for two runs on two hits, both doubles, in the second. The visitor's lead held until the bottom of the third and some clutch two-out hits from the Monarchs. Robbie Petracci got the rally going with a single and was followed with another base hit from Carter Trice. Coutney was then hit by a pitch to load up the bases. After taking two balls, Garriola emptied the bases with a no-doubt grand slam into left field.
Now entrusted with a lead, Pantos set down the side in order in the fourth and worked around a two-out infield single in the fifth. Petracci added on to ODU's lead in the bottom of the fifth with a deep shot over the fence in right to score Kyle Edwards, who reached on a throwing error by starting pitcher Jacob Josey to start the inning.
Pantos enjoyed a quiet sixth inning and got two quick outs in the sixth before Caleb Pendleton singled into left, which ended the day for the redshirt senior right-hander. Jason Hartline came on in relief and ended the inning with just two pitches.
Pantos (6-0) picked up the win after allowing two runs on four hits over 6.2 innings. He walked three and struck out two.
The Monarchs picked up what would become crucial insurance runs in the seventh as Trice, Coutney and Garriola hit three-consecutive solo shots to make it a 9-2 score.
With their backs against the wall, the Owls fought back in the top of the eighth. FAU put up four runs on four hits to make it a three-run game at 9-6. ODU manufactured two more runs in the home half of the inning as Kenny Levari was hit by a pitch, moved all the way to third on an infield single by Thomas Wheeler and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Edwards. Petracci then singled home Wheeler to push Old Dominion's advantage to 11-6.
FAU added another run in the ninth and left the bases loaded against Noah Dean. After a quick strikeout, Dean allowed back-to-back singles before issuing a four-pitch walk to load the bases. The left-handed reliever followed with another four-pitch walk to force across a run before buckling down with two-straight strikeouts to end the game and give the Monarchs their first home conference series win of the season.
Petracci was 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBIs on Saturday and is now 5-for-8 with three runs and three RBIs since moving into the leadoff spot on Friday. Trice also had a three-hit game on Saturday.
Josey (4-3) was tagged with the loss after giving up eight runs, seven earned, on eight hits over 6.2 innings.
The Monarchs go for their first conference series sweep of the year tomorrow at noon.
Baseball Smacks Five Homers in 11-7 Win over FAU
