News Summary
Old Dominion University (ODU) Baseball achieved a significant 9-6 victory against James Madison University (JMU), highlighted by Luke Waters’ outstanding performance with two home runs and a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate. The team, now with a record of 20-26, excelled offensively and demonstrated solid pitching to secure the win and complete a series sweep over JMU. Looking ahead, ODU prepares for the upcoming Sun Belt Championship.
Norfolk, VA – Old Dominion University (ODU) Baseball secured a commanding 9-6 victory over James Madison University (JMU) on Saturday afternoon, thanks in large part to a stellar performance by Luke Waters. Waters went 5-for-5 at the plate, smashing two home runs and contributing three runs and three RBIs to the team’s win.
This impressive outing marked Waters’ second five-hit game of his career, further solidifying his position as a critical player for ODU. Along with his two home runs, Waters has shown remarkable form throughout the weekend series, boasting a batting average of .727 (8-for-11) with a 1.364 slugging percentage and a .750 on-base percentage.
With the victory on Saturday, ODU improved its overall record to 20-26 and 14-12 in the Sun Belt Conference. Saturday’s game was also notable for contributing to the Monarchs’ successful sweep of the series against JMU, which concluded with a 4-2 victory the following day.
Game Highlights
Starting pitcher Dylan Brown played a key role in ODU’s success, enhancing his record to 4-2 after pitching seven strong innings. He allowed eight hits, struck out five batters, and remarkably did not walk anyone. JMU’s scoring efforts came late in the game with a three-run home run in the seventh inning, marking the first runs scored against Brown during that matchup.
To bolster the team’s defensive efforts, Frankie Wright earned his first save of the season by successfully retiring two of the three batters he faced, giving up only one hit. Additionally, Kyle Edwards and Kainen Jorge also made significant contributions to the offensive output. Edwards finished the game with a 2-for-5 stat line while swiping two bases, and Jorge went 2-for-6, including a double and tallying two RBIs and one run scored.
Offensive Performance
Overall, ODU displayed a formidable offensive force by hitting 14-for-41 in the game for an impressive .341 batting average. The team recorded a notable 5-for-16 success rate with runners in scoring position, showcasing their ability to capitalize on key scoring opportunities. The Monarchs built an early commanding lead of 7-0 before JMU’s late rally narrowed the score to 9-6. ODU sealed the game with another two runs in the ninth inning.
The final inning featured a tense moment as JMU loaded the bases, but they were unable to capitalize, and the game concluded in favor of the Monarchs.
Continuing Success
In the following game, ODU continued its triumphant run by achieving a 4-2 win against JMU again, improving their record to 21-26 overall and 15-12 in the conference. ODU scored first in the top of the first inning due to a sacrifice fly from Maverick Stallings. The team regained control of the game, scoring two runs in the fifth inning and one more in the sixth inning.
For this game, Blake Morgan pitched effectively, allowing JMU to only score two runs on five hits and notching a strikeout before being relieved. Nick Sulpizio made a noteworthy contribution by achieving his first career save after effectively shutting out JMU over the course of three innings.
Looking Ahead
With their successful series against JMU, ODU has also secured a spot in the upcoming Sun Belt Championship, which is scheduled to take place from May 20-25 in Montgomery, Alabama. The Monarchs are set to play their final midweek game of the regular season against the University of Richmond.
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Additional Resources
- ODU Sports: Baseball Completes the Series Sweep of JMU
- Wikipedia: Sun Belt Conference
- JMU Sports: ODU Slips by Dukes in 12 Innings
- Google Search: ODU baseball
- Rock Town Now: JMU Baseball Drops Second Straight Game to ODU
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baseball
- ODU Sports: Baseball Travels to JMU for TowneBank Royal Rivalry Series
- Google News: James Madison University baseball
