NORFOLK, Va. (May 2, 2015) –
Cody Crouse pitched eight strong innings and FIU got timely hitting to defeat Old Dominion, 4-1, in game two of a Saturday doubleheader at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex in Norfolk, Va. The Monarchs (22-24, 8-15 Conference USA) took game one, 4-2, from the Panthers (21-24, 11-12 C-USA).
Crouse allowed just five hits and one run over eight innings and struck out five to improve to 4-4.
Danny Dopico shut the door in the bottom of the ninth inning with a perfect 1-2-3 frame to record his eighth save.
After ODU scored one run in the bottom of the third inning, FIU plated three runs in the top of the fourth.
Jack Schaaf led off the fourth with a single to right and
Edwin Rios followed with a bunt single down the third base line. On the bunt hit ODU third baseman P.J. Higgins overthrew first baseman Taylor Ostrich to allow Schaaf to reach third base and Rios to go to second base.
Brian Portelli ripped the next pitch from Joey Benitez (1-2) for a two-run double down the left field line to put FIU ahead 2-1.
Later in the fourth
Zack Soria singled to center to score Portelli and make it 3-1. The Panthers added an insurance run in the seventh inning. Soria doubled to left center and later scored after
Rey Perez laid down a textbook squeeze bunt. Perez hustled down the line and beat out the bunt for a hit.
In the first game of the doubleheader, ODU got two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to erase a 1-0 FIU lead. Higgins's two-run double off FIU starter
Andres Nunez (4-4) to the right center gap pushed ODU ahead 2-1 in the fifth. Justin Hayes and Jason McMurray had RBI hits in the sixth to cap the Monarch scoring.
ODU starter Sam Sinnen (5-2) silenced the FIU bats with the exception of a triple by Schaaf in the second inning. Schaaf scored on an RBI ground out by Rios.
Nick Hartman pitched the final two innings for his second save for the Monarchs.
FIU and ODU settle the series Sunday at 1 p.m. with
Chris Mourelle pitching for the Panthers. ODU has yet to determine its Sunday starter.
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