NORFOLK, Va. ? Josh Wright's 10th inning grand slam led Old Dominion to a 6-2, walk-off win over VMI in non-conference baseball action at the Bud Metheney Baseball Complex on Wednesday evening.
The Keydets (13-26) rallied from a 1-0 deficit to take the lead in the eighth, when A.J. Yoder slugged a two-run home run. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Monarchs (16-20) plated an unearned run in the bottom of the inning.
Both teams came up empty despite multiple base runners in the ninth, sending the teams to extra innings for the second time in as many meetings this season. In the 10th, Keydet reliever Michael Devine (0-4) struck out the side, however, saw Jake McAloose reach base on a passed ball to keep the inning alive. Following a walk and a hit batsman, Wright delivered the knockout punch, as his eighth home run of the season gave ODU a split of the season series.
“I thought we pitched extremely well and played great defense tonight,” said VMI head coach Marlin Ikenberry after his team surrendered just four hits against the Monarchs. “We got a big at bat by A.J. in the eighth to get the lead, and then there was a bizarre balk situation that tied the game in the eighth. We should've been out of the inning in the 10th, but their kid put a good swing on a first pitch fastball. He pulled it foul and the wind blew it back fair and out of the ballpark. We need to figure out how to win on the road.”
Austin Wright (1-0) picked up the win by working two shutout innings in relief of Chris Boggs, who struck out 11 in eight innings. Keydet starting pitcher Matt Edwards also posted impressive numbers in his first start, allowing just one hit through five innings. Travis Smink came on to work three frames, surrendering an unearned run on one hit.
The Monarchs took their lead in the first inning, when McAloose plated Gerard Hall with a sacrifice fly. That was the game's only score until the eighth, when Sam Roberts reached base after striking out on a throwing error by the catcher before Yoder's one-out blast. Tanner Biagini followed with a double and moved to third on Jordan Ballard's base knock, but was retired on a squeeze bunt attempt dropped down by Brian Sandridge, allowing the Monarchs to escape the rally.
ODU knotted the game in the bottom of the frame, when a catcher's interference extended the inning before Smink was called for a balk, allowing Max Most to score the tying run.
Biagini's 2-for-5 outing was the game's only multiple-hit effort, while Yoder's round-tripper accounted for both of VMI's runs batted in.
The Keydets return to action on Wednesday, returning home to take on Norfolk State at 6:30 p.m.
