CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte built an early 6-1 lead and Old Dominion University baseball was unable to get back in the game as the Monarchs dropped the series opener to the 49ers, 10-2 on Friday night at Hayes Stadium.
Charlotte starting pitcher Wyatt Hudepohl earned the win to improve to 1-1 on the season. The Cincinnati, Ohio native threw a complete game and frustrated ODU bats all night, setting a new program record with 17 strikeouts.
With one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, Charlotte's Austin Knight opened the scoring with an RBI ground out to the catcher. The hosts reloaded the bases thanks to a hit batter, and Jack Dragum then drove in two more runs with a base hit to right field.
Camden Grimes got the Monarchs (12-2) going in the top of the second, sending the first pitch of his at bat over the wall in left. However, the 49ers (6-8) answered with two homers of their own in the bottom of the frame. After Kaden Hopson doubled down the right-field line, Jake Cunningham homered to center field. Two batters later, Cam Fisher went yard to push the Charlotte lead to 6-1.
Fisher homered again in the fourth, a two-run blast that made it 8-1. Luke Waters got a run back with a two-out homer in the sixth, but Charlotte again had an answer. In the home half of the inning, Hopson led off and reached on a dropped fly ball. He then came around on a Cunningham double down the right-field line, and Cunningham scored on a Will Butcher single through the left side of the Monarch defense.
ODU had a runner in scoring position in the seventh and ninth innings, but was unable to cash in and the team's 12-game win streak came to an end.
"You have to tip your cap to their starter," said head coach Chris Finwood. "He pitched great with 17 strikeouts and no walks. He had his breaking ball really going and we chased a bunch of two-strike breaking balls down and off the plate. Pitching wise, we just left too many balls up and they have some very good hitters who did some damage with those. So we'll get back to work and come out ready to play tomorrow."
Grimes finished 1-for-3 with his fourth homer of the season and Waters went 1-for-4 with his third long ball. Hunter Fitz-Gerald batted 2-for-4 and Kenny Levari collected the team's other hit in a 1-for-4 outing.
Morgan (2-1) was handed the loss after giving up eight runs on as many hits and three walks. The sophomore struck out eight Charlotte batters in a five-inning start. Vincent Bashara was responsible for the other two runs, one of them earned. Also making relief appearances were Ron Cole and Trent Buchanan.
ODU will look to pull even in the series when the teams return to the field on Saturday at 2 p.m.