It was a week of survival for ODU baseball. While the performances weren't always dominant, the Monarchs showed a knack for finding ways to win, navigating a rocky midweek start to eventually sweep their weekend series. ODU finished the four-game stretch with a 3-1 record, showing resilience even when the "A-game" wasn't always there.
Midweek: Jaspers Jump ODU Early (Manhattan 10, ODU 7)
Wednesday’s matchup against Manhattan was a frustrating affair characterized by defensive lapses and missed opportunities. The Monarchs looked to have momentum after Tyler Zedalis launched a massive grand slam in the third inning to give ODU a 5-1 lead. However, the Jaspers responded with a seven-run fourth inning—highlighted by their own grand slam—that flipped the script.
Despite a late-inning home run by Will Johnson and a desperate ninth-inning rally that brought the tying run to the plate, a clutch double play by Manhattan ended the comeback bid.
Weekend Series: Gritty Sweep of Niagara
The Monarchs managed to put the midweek loss behind them, welcoming Niagara for a three-game set. It wasn't always pretty, but ODU managed to gut out three close victories to secure the series sweep.
Game 1: The Zach Leite Show (ODU 5, Niagara 4)
Friday’s opener was defined by a massive individual effort from Zach Leite. The senior first baseman accounted for every single ODU run, hammering two home runs—a solo shot in the second and a towering grand slam in the third. On the mound, Darin Kuskie ground out 6.0 innings to earn his second win of the season, while Kellen Davis closed the door for the save.
Game 2: The Late-Inning Surge (ODU 8, Niagara 5)
The first half of Saturday’s doubleheader saw ODU falling behind 4-2 in the seventh. The offense finally woke up in the eighth, erupting for five runs. TJ Aiken delivered a massive two-RBI double, and Zach Leite continued his hot streak with a two-run single to help pull away.
Game 3: Escaping the Finale (ODU 5, Niagara 4)
The nightcap of the doubleheader was a struggle from the jump. After Niagara took a 4-0 lead in the fourth, ODU slowly chipped away. A four-run seventh inning proved to be the difference, with Maverick Stallings tying the game on an RBI single and Tyler Zedalis driving in the winning run with a sacrifice fly. Freshman Charlie Pearce earned his first career save with a high-pressure ninth inning.
Top Performers & Stat Leaders
Interesting Game Stats
Escape Acts: ODU trailed in all three games of the Niagara series, showing a gritty ability to overcome early-game deficits.
Speed Factor: TJ Aiken stole three bases in the midweek game alone, providing a necessary aggressive edge.
Bullpen Stability: While the starters struggled at times, the ODU bullpen was vital, with Kellen Davis, Connor Schumann, and Charlie Pearce all recording crucial outs.
Power Dependent: Four of ODU's wins this season have featured at least one home run; when the long ball disappears, the offense has struggled to find consistent rhythm.