NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion University Baseball scored five runs in the middle three innings to pull away from George Washington and claim a 7-4 win on Saturday afternoon at Bud Metheny Ballpark.
In the seventh inning with ODU clinging to a 7-4 lead, George Washington loaded the bases with one out, but Ben Moore induced an inning-ending double play to end the threat. Vincent Bashara and Jay Cassady pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings to secure the win.
"It was a good win. We gave them a few runs with walks and a few misplayed balls on defense," ODU Head Coach Chris Finwood said. "We also left several runners in scoring position but it's early and those are the things everyone has to get worked out. Our guys competed hard and we pitched pretty well again. Kyle Edwards, Kenny Levari and Steven Meier had good days and Dylan Brown gave us a good start."
Old Dominion (2-0) got on the board first with a two-out, two-run double from Kenny Levari. Kyle Edwards led off the game for ODU with a double and moved to third on a fly out by Luke Waters. Alex Bouche walked setting the stage for Levari's ball that was smashed over the head of the right fielder.
Brett Young tied the score in the top of the second for George Washington (0-2) with a two-run double.
ODU retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth without the benefit of a hit. Maverick Stallings and Steven Meier led off the inning with hit by pitches and were moved to second and third on a sacrifice bunt by Jack Slater. Edwards lofted a sacrifice fly to right to score Meier and put the Monarchs in front 3-2.
Again, the Revolutionaries came right back and tied the score in the top of the fifth. Ellis Schwartz knocked a two-out single and Steve Ditomaso followed with a triple to tie the score at three.
Jake Ticer launched ODU's first home run of the year in the bottom of the fifth to give ODU a 4-3 lead and Steven Meier made it 5-3 with an RBI single to score Gavin Abrams.
ODU tacked on two more runs in the sixth inning. Edwards led off with a double and moved to second on a walk to Waters. After a double steal put runners on second and third Bouche delivered a sac fly to score Edwards. Two batters later Levari singled to score Waters to give ODU a 7-3 lead.
Edwards went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, while Levari finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs.
Dylan Brown, who at one point retired 10-straight batters, earned the win. He pitched five innings, allowing three runs and struck out eight. Jay Cassady had one strikeout and pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save.
ODU and GW play the series finale tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Bud Metheny Ballpark.
Baseball Tops George Washington, 7-4
