JONESBORO, Ark. – Old Dominion baseball was up 2-1 midway through the fifth inning, but Arkansas State used a four-run bottom of the sixth and scored another six runs in the eighth to take the Sun Belt series finale 12-4 on Sunday at Tomlinson Stadium.
"Tough day today," said head coach Chris Finwood. "The six runs in the eighth broke open a close game. Too many walks and we didn't do much offensively. 10 a.m. games can happen in the conference tournament, and we will have to be more ready to play than we were today to have a chance to win."
The Red Wolves (16-28, 6-16 Sun Belt) had to go to the pen a lot earlier than expected. After retiring the first two batters, starting pitcher Tyler Jeans appeared to break the thumbnail on his pitching hand, and that led to Jake Algee taking over on the bump. He held the Monarchs (30-17, 13-11) off the board until the top of the third. With one out and the bases loaded, Kenny Levari drove in a pair of runs with a base-hit back up the middle. In the bottom of the third, A-State's Blake Burris walked, moved to second on a wild pitch, and came around on a Brandon Hager single through the left side to cut the ODU lead to 2-1.
A-State pulled even in the bottom of the fifth as Allen Grier walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch. A throwing error on the play allowed him to reach third, and he then tagged up on a Wil French sacrifice fly to right field. The hosts then took a 6-2 lead with four runs on three hits and an error in the home half of the sixth. Two runners crossed the plate on a sac fly to left center, another runner came around on a French single to left center, and French scored on a Hager single through the left side.
ODU trimmed the Red Wolves' lead to 6-3 in the top of the eighth as Luke Waters scored from third on a Thomas Wheeler fielder's choice. The Monarchs had loaded the bases with one out, but were only able to come away with the one run, though. A Cross Jumper grand slam highlighted A-State's six-run bottom of the eighth as A-State pulled away, 12-3.
The Monarchs loaded the bases again with one out in the top of the ninth. Robbie O'Neal scored from third on a Levari fielder's choice as the Red Wolves took the force out at second. Hunter Fitz-Gerald then went down swinging to end the game.
Landen Burch (2-2) was charged with the loss after giving up four runs (three earned) on one hit and four walks. He tallied two strikeouts in 1.1 innings pitched. Starter Blake Morgan tossed four innings and held the Red Wolves to one run on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
"Morgan pitched pretty well again," added Finwood. "He seems to be trending back in the right direction. We won the series and need to find a way to win our last two series to go into the conference tournament with some momentum. We hope to get Jake Ticer back in the lineup soon, so that will help as well."
Levari led ODU at the plate as he drove in three runs and added a stolen base in a 2-for-5 outing. Edwards hit 2-for-4 and scored a run while Waters went 1-for-3 with two walks, a run and a swiped bag.
ODU is back in action this Tuesday as the Monarchs host East Carolina in the Commonwealth Classic. First pitch at Harbor Park is scheduled for 7 p.m.