MONROE, La. – Old Dominion baseball built a 5-0 lead and took the series finale at ULM 6-2 on Sunday to open Sun Belt Conference play with a sweep of the Warhawks. It marks ODU's first conference-opening sweep since 2017 when the Monarchs defeated Rice three times to start Conference USA play.
"We pitched well all weekend," said head coach Chris Finwood. "They gave us a few runs today. It was a tough day to hit with the cold and wind. Played pretty good defense all weekend. I'm proud of the guys for being ready to go today. Looking forward to getting back home this week and warmer temperatures!"
ODU struck first with two runs in the top of the first. Luke Waters led off and was hit by a pitch. Camden Grimes then hit a grounder towards third base and ULM elected to get the force at second, but a throwing error allowed Waters to advance to third. A wild pitch allowed Waters to score, and an Alex Bouche walk and Thomas Wheeler single loaded the bases. Tyler Wheeler sent a 2-2 pitch back up the middle, bringing in Grimes for the early 2-0 lead.
The Warhawks (7-14, 0-3 Sun Belt) put a runner on in each of the first four innings, but the Monarchs (18-2, 3-0) were able to turn double plays in the first, second and fourth innings.
Grimes added to the lead with a leadoff solo home run in the fifth. Later in the inning, Hunter Fitz-Gerald scored from third on a Thomas Wheeler fielder's choice. ULM made a pitching change, and ODU greeted the new reliever with a delayed double steal to pull ahead, 5-0.
ULM finally broke through in the home half of the frame as a Carson Jones single up the middle brought in Jayson Zmejkoski from second. Neither side scored again until the seventh when Thomas Wheeler legged out a two-out triple down the right-field line and came around on a Tyler Wheeler base-hit up the middle.
The Warhawks loaded the bases with one out in the eighth. Riley Davis hit a ball towards Chris Dengler and he flipped to Grimes at second, but the throw to Fitz-Gerald at first wasn't in time as Jones scored on the play. ULM threatened again in the ninth with two outs and the bags full, but Robert Cook was able to fool Zack Flood for the strikeout swinging.
Bailey Matela (2-0) received the win after striking out three ULM batters with one hit in two shutout innings of relief. Starter Dylan Brown went 4.1 innings and held the hosts to one run on three hits and three walks, adding one strikeout. Trent Buchanan tossed 0.2 innings, Ben Moore recorded one out, and Cook pitched the final 1.2 innings recording two strikeouts.
At the plate, Tyler Wheeler hit 2-for-3, drove in two runs and walked once. Alex Bouche went 2-for-4, scored a run, and added one walk and one stolen base. Thomas Wheeler also finished 2-for-4 with the triple, run, RBI and stolen base. Grimes homered, scored a pair of runs and added a base on balls in a 1-for-4 outing, Dengler hit 1-for-3 with a walk, and Jay Tarkenton chipped in a 1-for-4 effort.
ODU has four games at home this week, beginning with a 6 p.m. meeting with Liberty this Wednesday at Bud Metheny Ballpark. The Monarchs then continue conference play with three games against Marshall next weekend.
ODU Defeats ULM 6-2 Sunday to Complete the Sun Belt Series Sweep of the Warhawks
