JONESBORO, Ark. – After 33 combined runs scored last night the Monarchs won 3-0 on the backs of a Sam Armstrong and John Holobetz two-hit shutout against Arkansas State on Saturday. The series victory also marked career win number 600 for head coach Chris Finwood.
"Sam was really good again. He's having a special season! Holobetz was as good as I've seen him all year. Dominant! Proud of our defense behind those guys as well today," said head coach Chris Finwood.
The Monarchs (30-16, 13-10) opened up the scoring in game two as Kenny Levari singled to left field and then advanced to third on an Arkansas State error. Thomas Wheeler doubled to drive in Levari to put ODU on top 1-0. The Red Wolves (15-28, 5-16) went down in order to start the contest.
Lincoln Ransom started the second with a single, Robbie O'Neal followed that with a single of this own and then Kyle Edwards hit an RBI double to left center to extend the lead to 2-0.
Arkansas State would threaten in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Red Wolves would hit a double and walk as Armstrong's day would end there. John Holobetz would come in with runners on first and third and get Kody Darcy to fly out into foul territory.
In the top of the seventh Levari walked and scored on a Fitz-Gerald RBI double to right center to make the score 3-0.
Holobetz closed out the game in the ninth after retiring all 10 hitters he faced and recorded his sixth save of the year.
Three Monarchs had multiple hits on the day, Levari (2-4, 2 R), Fitz-Gerald (2-4, 1 RBI) and Robbie O'Neal (2-4).
The Monarchs look for the series sweep starting at 11 a.m. ET tomorrow morning.