LAFAYETTE, La. – Old Dominion Baseball could not get its bats going on Friday night as the Monarchs dropped their Sun Belt series opener at Louisiana, 3-0.
"It was a good ball game and we pitched well," ODU Head Coach Chris Finwood said. "We didn't make a couple plays that we need to make and it led to a three run inning. [Louisiana] pitched great and we couldn't get anything going offensively tonight. Their pitching had a lot to do with that and I have to give credit where it's due. Quick turnaround tomorrow and we need to bounce back ready to go."
ODU starting pitcher Jay Cassady threw three scoreless innings, holding the Ragin' Cajuns (14-8, 3-1 Sun Belt) to three hits and one walk while striking out four. The Monarchs (13-9, 2-2) then brought in John Holobetz, who retired the side in order in the fourth but got into trouble in the bottom half of the fifth.
Louisiana's Jose Torres reached on a dropped fly ball by Kyle Edwards, then advanced to third base on a Caleb Stelly single to right center. Holobetz induced a ground out to third, but John Taylor drove in Torres with a sacrifice fly to left. Josh Alexander made it 2-0 on an RBI triple to the gap in right and Kyle DeBarge pushed the lead to 3-0 with a base hit to left center.
ODU was held to just three hits in the game with three walks and one hit batter. The Monarchs had their best opportunity in the top of the fifth as Kenny Levari led off with a single to shortstop. He then moved up to second on a Jake Ticer single to left field, which forced Louisiana starter Andrew Herrman out of the game. However, with two outs, reliever LP Langevin struck out Bryce Jones to keep ODU off the board.
In the ninth, there were Monarchs on first and second with one away as Steven Meier was hit by a pitch and Alex Bouche walked. Louisiana retired the next two batters though as Levari went down swinging and Maverick Stallings popped up to first base.
Holobetz (2-3) was handed the loss after giving up three unearned runs on five hits. He didn't walk anyone and tallied five strikeouts. Ticer finished the evening 1-for-2, Jones turned in a 1-for-3 effort and Levari hit 1-for-4.
ODU and Louisiana return to M.L. "Tigue" Moore Field at Russo Park on Saturday. Game Two is scheduled for a 3 p.m. ET start.
ODU Baseball Drops Series Opener at Louisiana, 3-0
