The Old Dominion baseball team gave up a pair of two-run home runs in the eighth and ninth innings then left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth in an 8-6 loss to Campbell on a chilly Tuesday night at the Bud Metheny Ballpark.
The Monarchs (18-5) led 6-4 going into the top of the eighth, when Ty Babin drove one over the fence in right field to tie the score. ODU loaded the bases in the bottom half of the frame on a leadoff triple from pinch hitter James Tarkenton II and consecutive walks to Kyle Edwards and Thomas Wheeler, but Tarkenton was tagged out at home trying to score on a pitch in the dirt – the third time on Tuesday that a Monarch was called out at home.
Zach Williams hit a leadoff single in the top of the ninth then Connor Denning lifted a two-run home run out to right field. The Fighting Camels (12-12) looked poised to do more damage with the bases loaded and no outs, but Josh Trujillo gunned down Logan Jordan at the plate as he attempted to tag up on a fly out and Trey Fisher struck out Dylan Koontz to end the inning.
ODU went quickly down to its final out in the bottom of the ninth before Andrea Dalatri extended the game with a single up the middle and Matt Coutney and Trujillo drew back-to-back walks. Jared Hancock stepped to the plate with the tying run on second but flew out to right field to end the game.
The Monarchs struck for one run apiece in the second and third innings but were down 4-3 heading into the sixth. Trujillo scored on a wild pitch to tie the score before ODU scored two in the seventh. Andy Garriola singled home Wheeler before Carter Trice scored on a wild pitch to put Old Dominion ahead 6-4.
ODU starter Blake Morgan was dazzling on Tuesday, striking out a career-high eight while allowing just one hit over three shutout innings. The freshman left-hander struck out the side in the second and had a stretch of five consecutive batters retired via the strikeout.
Garriola went 3-for-4 with three RBIs to lead the Monarchs. Wheeler had two hits, and Trice went 1-for-4 with three runs scored.
ODU heads to Miami for a three-game conference series with FIU this Friday through Sunday.
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