It was a frustrating few days at the Ellmer Family Baseball Complex as the Monarchs dropped both games of a rain-affected weekend series against Charlotte. While the Friday opener was lost to the weather, the action on the field Saturday and Sunday saw ODU struggle to find early-inning consistency, leading to a series sweep for the visiting 49ers.
Weekend Recap: A Hill Too Steep
With Friday's contest canceled, the series shifted to a Saturday start that the Monarchs would likely prefer to forget.
Saturday: Shutout at the Bud (Charlotte 13, ODU 0 - F/7)
Saturday’s matchup was a tough afternoon for the home side as Charlotte’s offense exploded for 15 hits. The 49ers broke a scoreless tie in the third with a four-run frame and never let up, adding three in the fourth and five in the fifth. Darin Kuskie took the loss on the mound, while the Monarchs’ bats were held to just five hits, including doubles by Tj Aiken and Maverick Stallings.
Sunday: The Comeback That Almost Was (Charlotte 7, ODU 6)
Sunday’s "Bark in the Park" finale started with more of the same, as Charlotte raced out to a 7-0 lead by the top of the third inning. However, the Monarchs showed significant fight, chipping away at the deficit with two runs each in the third, fourth, and sixth innings.
Zach Leite ignited the rally with a two-run homer in the fourth, and a two-RBI double from Maverick Stallings in the sixth brought ODU within a single run. The Monarchs nearly pulled off the miracle in the ninth, getting the tying run to third base with two outs, but a final strikeout ended the threat and the game.
Top Performers & Series Leaders
| Player | Stats | Series Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Zach Leite | 3-for-8, HR, 2B, 3 RBI | Fueled Sunday's rally with a 2-run blast and a 3-for-5 day. |
| Tj Aiken | 3-for-7, 2B, 2 Runs, SB | Constant threat on the paths; recorded hits in both games. |
| Maverick Stallings | 2-for-6, 2 2B, 2 RBI | Delivered the clutch two-out double on Sunday to pull ODU within one. |
| Tyler Zedalis | 2-for-4, RBI (Sunday) | Provided key production in the middle of the order during the Sunday comeback bid. |
Interesting Game Stats
- Defensive Miscues: Sunday’s loss was plagued by 4 errors, which contributed to three unearned runs for Charlotte—a difference-maker in a one-run game.
- Nearly Extinguished: Saturday's 13-0 loss was ODU's first time being shutout this season.
- Rally Potential: Despite the 7-0 early deficit on Sunday, the Monarchs' middle of the order combined for 10 hits across the weekend, showing the lineup can still produce under pressure.
- Home-Field Heartbreak: After a dominant midweek win, ODU has now lost three of its last four home games.
What’s Next?
The Monarchs (6-4) hit the road this week for a midweek rematch against VCU in Richmond on Wednesday, March 4. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 PM EST as ODU looks to snap their two-game skid before heading back home for the weekend.