MANTEO, NC (May 18) - Robbie Gragnani's two-out single with the bases loaded, plated DannyLopaze to give the fifth seeded Rams of Virginia Commonwealth University a 6-5win over top seed Old Dominion University on May 18 in the CAA Baseball Tournamentsecond round.
The Monarchs started first as David Vilardi (Fishkill, NY.)hit a solo homer to left in the first inning. VCU cameback to tie the game on an rbi double by Brian Mohr whichscored Kevin Elrod.
In the second inning, after a VCU error freshman John Oehler(Audubon, NJ.) singled home both Joe Troilo (Avondale,PA.)and Jeff Eure (Pillow, Pa.). After a wild pitch, DavidVilardi singled home Oehler to make it 4-1 Monarchs.
It stayed that way until the sixth when Monarch killerCorey Bauswell hit a three-run homer to tie the gameBauswell has hit three homers vs. the Monarchs this year). VCUthen took the lead when CAA triple crown winner Jason Dubois hit his 16th homerof the season in the seventh.
ODU came back in the top of the ninth to tie the game whenfreshman Brent Sollenberger (Chambersburg, Pa.) singled homefreshman Jesse Thomas(Ventnor,NJ.) with two outs.
J.D.Jackson (5-5) was the Monarchs hard luck loser. He fanned four, walked fourin eight plus innings. Marc Fisher was VCU's winner (11-1), fanning a careertyingten batters.
The Monarchs play William and Mary in the loser's bracketgame on May 19 at 12 noon.