HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – A three-run top of the fourth proved to be enough as Old Dominion baseball defeated Marshall, 4-1 on Saturday afternoon to even the Sun Belt series at a game apiece.
Efrain Morales doubled to right center in the first inning and doubled to left center in the third, but was left stranded both times. The Monarchs (16-18, 5-9 Sun Belt) finally broke through in the top of the fourth inning. After Maverick Stallings drew a leadoff walk, Macaddin Dye reached on a fielding error by Marshall first baseman AJ Havrilla. Scotty Young then wore a pitch to load the bases, and Will Johnson opened the scoring with a 2-RBI single through the right side of the defense. Scotty Young lost his footing going home on a squeeze bunt by Nick Felton, but Marshall catcher Jackson Golden didn’t notice and fired to first in time to retire Felton. That allowed Young to score as the Monarchs built a 3-0 lead.
The Thundering Herd (15-18, 7-7) scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Cleary Simpson walked and stole second, advanced to third on a Jack Smith base hit through the right side, and came home as Evan Bottone grounded out to Will Johnson at short.
ODU had an opportunity to answer right back in the top of the sixth as Johnson singled to right, took second on another Felton sac bunt, and moved up to third on a failed pickoff attempt. TJ Aiken went down swinging though and Morales lined out to second to end the inning.
The Monarchs rounded out the scoring with one more run in the eighth. Dye started off the frame with a hit by pitch, Young beat out a bunt single down the third base line, and Dye advanced to third on a Johnson fly out right field. Felton executed another squeeze play, but the throw to the plate was too late as Dye slid in safely for a 4-1 lead.
Kellen Davis entered the game in the bottom of the eighth and worked around a one-out double. He then issued a one-out walk to Simpson in the ninth inning, but Johnson fielded a Cam Harthan ground ball, stepped on second, and fired to first in time for a game-ending double play.
Morales went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a walk, Johnson also went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Young turned in a 1-for-2 effort with a run, a walk, and a hit by pitch.
Ben Tanton (4-0) received the win after 2.1 shutout innings in relief. The freshman from Vestal, New York did not give up a hit, allowed one walk, and struck out two. Davis picked up his third save of the season after two innings of work. He gave up one hit and one walk while striking out one. Starter JJ Gatti went 4.1 innings and was tagged for one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
Up Next
Sunday’s rubber match is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at Jack Cook Field.