MOBILE, Ala. – Some key defensive plays and a timely hit by Macaddin Dye helped Old Dominion Baseball even its Sun Belt series at South Alabama at a game apiece as the Monarchs shut out the Jaguars, 2-0 on Saturday.
Three different ODU pitchers combined to blank the Jaguars (17-10, 4-4 Sun Belt). JJ Gatti started and held the hosts to one hit and one walk with one strikeout in four innings pitched. Ben Tanton tossed the next two innings, striking out two with one hit and one walk to improve to 2-0 with the win. Jackson Okonkwo threw the last three innings, scattering two hits and striking out one to collect his first career save.
"We pitched well today an dmade a lot of big pitches when we needed to. JJ Gatti gave us a good start and true freshmen Ben Tanton and Jackson Okonkwo gave us five shutout innings out of the bullpen," said ODU head coach Chris Finwood.
The trio were backed up by some solid defensive plays throughout the infield. In the bottom of the fourth, Maverick Stallings made a diving stop up the middle, spun around, and threw to first in time for the out. Cash Jay then made a leaping catch to hit a line drive that was hooking foul.
"We made a bunch of big defensive plays, led by Maverick Stallings at second base. He made some big time plays when we needed them," added Finwood.
Later in the sixth, Zach Leite fielded a bunt attempt and dove back at first, just beating out the runner. The play was reviewed and the call on the field stood. Stallings made another diving stop up the middle in the bottom of the seventh and the Monarchs (13-13, 3-5) turned a 6-4-3 double play in the bottom of the ninth.
At the plate, Dye went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Garyson Sparr hit 1-for-3, TJ Aiken (1-for-3) walked twice and scored a run, and Tyler Zedalis (1-for-3) also drew two walks. Scotty Young and Will Johnson both finished 1-for-4, and Leite went 0-for-2 but had three bases on balls and scored once.
"A big hit with two outs by Mac Dye was the difference," continued Finwood. "We probably left four of five runs out there. We had a couple chances to expand the lead and just didn't get good swings off. We have to be better in those situations."
Aiken looked to score in the top of the first after walking and stealing second base. He tried to come home on a Young single to right field, but was thrown out at the plate. In the second inning, Nick Felton drew a two-out walk and took second on a failed pickoff attempt. He was left stranded though as Jay went down looking.
The Monarchs had another opportunity with one out and runners on the corners in the top of the fourth. Johnson was thrown out trying to steal second and Felton struck out swinging. In the sixth, Zedalis led off with a walk and advanced to third on a Dye double down the third-base line. They were both left stranded though as Stallings grounded out to short, Johnson went down looking, and Sparr flew out to center field.
ODU finally broke through in the top of the seventh. With one out, Aiken singled to left field and moved up to second on a sac bunt by Young. Leite was then intentionally walked, Zedalis also walked, and Dye plated Aiken and Leite with a base hit through the left side of the defense.
The Monarchs looked to add to their 2-0 lead after a throwing error and a single put runners on the corners with no outs in the eighth inning. However, Jay hit into a 5-4-3 double play and Aiken went down swinging as the Jaguars escaped the threat.
ODU outhit South Alabama, 7-4.
Up Next
Sunday’s rubber match is scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET start.