NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion rallied late to defeat FIU 11-10 Sunday afternoon at Bud Metheny Complex in Norfolk.
The Panthers (28-25, 12-15 Conference USA) lost two of three games to the Monarchs (35-16, 18-9).
ODU scored nine runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally from a 10-2 deficit and secure the series.
Nick Walker hit a grand slam off
Alex Demchak (4-2) to bring the Monarchs to within a run. Two batters later Turner Bishop hit a two-run home run to give ODU an 11-10 lead.
FIU hit four home runs but it was not enough.
Zach Files belted the first of his two home runs on the day in the second inning.
Javier Valdes walked to start the frame and
Nick Day doubled. Files then took ODU starter Joe Strzelecki deep to left center for a three-run shot.
Ahead 5-1 in the third inning, the Panthers hit three solo home runs.
JC Escarra led off the inning with his team-leading 15
th home run of the season off reliever Craig Lopez. One batter later, Day and Files went back-to-back with round-trippers also off Lopez.
FIU freshman
Nick MacDonald started, went five innings and allowed two runs.
ON DECK
FIU returns home to conclude the regular season against Western Kentucky.
The Panthers and Hilltoppers open a three-game series Thursday night at the FIU ballpark. The first pitch is at 7 p.m. The game can be seen on PantherVision and C-USA TV.
