NORFOLK, Va. – UTSA fell in the first game of the weekend series at Old Dominion on Friday, losing 11-0. It was the first time this season UTSA failed to plate a run.
Upon arrival at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex, UTSA and ODU entered a weather delay. Originally scheduled for a 5 p.m. (CT) start, first pitch didn't occur until 6:30 p.m. (CT).
UTSA (19-11, 5-5 C-USA) dropped its first game in twelve days as its six-game win streak was snapped. The Roadrunners were also shut out for the first time all season.
Only five Roadrunners collected hits on the night as Old Dominion's pitching was able to control the game. The Monarchs recorded 13 strikeouts on the day as they held UTSA scoreless.
The Roadrunners started ace Luke Malone (4-1) who worked 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk, striking out five. The loss was Malone's first of the year. Fischer Kingsbery entered in relief and went for 1.1 innings. A native of Leander, Kingsbery allowed two runs on three hits while striking out three. Allen Smith would enter in place of Kingsbery to begin the eighth. Smith gave up five runs on three hits with two walks before striking out three to end the eighth.
ODU (22-6, 6-4 C-USA) starter Blake Morgan (2-0) tossed a gem, as the freshman threw six scoreless innings with ten strikeouts. Morgan allowed just three Roadrunner hits in his first start in conference action. Entering in relief for Morgan was Jacob Gomez. Gomez pitched the remaining three innings, maintaining the shutout while allowing just two hits.
The Monarchs opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Matt Coutney got the inning started with a double to left-center to give ODU a baserunner. Catcher Brock Gagliardi singled through the ride side past a diving Barry to score Coutney and give ODU the early 1-0 lead.
Old Dominion added to its lead in the fifth. Kyle Edwards led off the inning with a single to left and the next batter, Tommy Bell, reached on a fielder's choice where Edwards was also safe at second to give the Monarchs two on. With two on and no outs, third baseman Kenny Levari ripped a double to deep right-center to plate both runners and make it a 3-0 ODU lead. The next batter was hit by a pitch and the following batter flew out to right to advance Levari to third. Coutney stepped back up to the plate and delivered an RBI sac fly to rightfield to score Levari and make it a 4-0 game for ODU.
ODU would add two more to its total in the bottom of the seventh. Levari got the inning started with a single to left. With Levari on and one out, Andy Garriola stepped up to the plate and launched his conference-leading 14th home run of the season. The two-run blast put ODU up 6-0.
Old Dominion kept the bats going into the bottom of the eighth inning. The Monarchs started the inning with a single and back-to-back walks to load the bases. A Levari single would plate two and the ODU lead sat at 8-0. Then, with two still on, Josh Trujillo went opposite yard with a three-run homer to extend the ODU lead to 11-0.
Friday Notes
Home Runs
UTSA: N/A
Old Dominion: Andy Garriola (14), Josh Trujillo (2)
WP – Blake Morgan (2-0): 6.0 IP, 3 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 10 strikeouts
SV – Jacob Gomez (1): 3.0 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 3 strikeouts
LP – Luke Malone (4-1): 5.2 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts
Up Next
UTSA will be back at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex tomorrow, April 9, to face ODU in the second game of the weekend series. The game will feature senior righty Jacob Jimenez on the mound for UTSA against ODU's senior righty, Nick Pantos. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. (CT) and the game will be streamed on CUSA TV.
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