Excitement fills the air as ODU faces Norfolk State in a fierce rivalry.
Old Dominion University (ODU) baseball is gearing up for a thrilling matchup against cross-town rivals Norfolk State University (NSU) on April 8th at 3 p.m. at Marty L. Miller Field. ODU enters the game with momentum after a recent victory over No. 20 Troy, while Norfolk State searches for their first win in six games. This rivalry has seen ODU dominate in previous encounters, making the stakes high for both teams as they battle for bragging rights.
Baseball fans in Norfolk, get ready for an electrifying showdown! Old Dominion University (ODU) baseball is set to hit the diamond against their cross-town rival, Norfolk State University (NSU), on Tuesday, April 8th at 3 p.m. The game will take place at the Marty L. Miller Field, and promises to be a thrilling encounter that fans won’t want to miss!
The Monarchs of ODU come into this matchup with a current record of 9-20 overall and 5-7 in the Sun Belt Conference. After a hard-fought victory against No. 20 Troy, where they scored an impressive 9-5 at Harbor Park, the Monarchs are riding high on momentum. This win was particularly special as it marked Head Coach Chris Finwood’s 400th victory with the team, a significant milestone worth celebrating!
Leading the charge for ODU is Zach Leite, who boasts a stellar batting average of .356. He has not only collected 8 doubles but has also driven in 20 RBIs and scored 21 runs this season. Efrain Morales made headlines during their last outing by recording his first career four-hit game, showcasing his potential to shine on the field. Meanwhile, Kyle Edwards has been a power hitter lately, knocking out two home runs against Troy and racking up 4 homers this season. Edward’s speed has also been a game-changer, as he leads the team with 14 stolen bases.
On the pitching side, ODU has a team ERA of 6.50 and an opposing batting average of .275, which they will need to improve as they look to secure another win against their local rivals.
On the flip side, Norfolk State is in search of a turning point as they enter this game with a record of 1-22 overall and 1-11 in the Northeast Conference. Currently, they are on a six-game losing streak, having faced setbacks against teams like Le Moyne and VMI. The Spartans’ only victory this season came against Fairleigh Dickinson on March 21, and they will surely be looking to break this drought on their home turf.
The bright spot for NSU has been Jaydan Israel, who is leading the Spartans with a solid batting average of .362. In terms of power, Justin Journette has hit 9 home runs and brought in 23 RBIs, while Jalan Jones has also shown his hitting prowess with a .333 average and 7 home runs this season. However, their pitching struggles have been evident, as NSU has a combined ERA of 12.15 and is allowing opponents to bat a staggering .352 against them.
The last time these two teams faced off was on March 7, 2023, where ODU emerged victorious with a score of 16-7. Historically, ODU has dominated this rivalry, winning 42 of the 51 total meetings and coming out on top in 8 of the last 9 encounters. As such, the Monarchs will be entering this game with confidence, but anything can happen in a rivalry match!
After their clash with Norfolk State, ODU will quickly transition into a road series against Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Georgia for their upcoming Sun Belt matchup. But first, they’ve got to focus on taking care of business on Tuesday.
So, whether you’re a die-hard Monarchs fan or cheering for the Spartans, make sure to catch this exciting cross-town game! It promises to be a day filled with thrilling baseball action, and hopefully, a great day for both teams!
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