Old Dominion baseball (9-9, 1-2 Sun Belt) opened conference play this past weekend with a high-scoring three-game set against the Troy Trojans at Riddle-Pace Field. While the Monarchs secured victory in the opener, Troy’s offensive explosions in the following games provided more than enough for a 2-1 series win for the hosts.
Game 1: Monarchs Rally for Sun Belt Opening Win (ODU 10, Troy 8)
Friday’s conference opener was a back-and-forth slugfest that saw ODU display some resilience. After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning due to a Jimmy Janicki home run, the Monarchs responded with a four-run second inning, highlighted by a bases-clearing three-RBI double from Will Johnson.
The turning point came in the sixth inning when Tyler Zedalis launched a big three-run shot to push the ODU lead to 10-4. Although Troy mounted a late-inning comeback, reliever Patrick Johnson earned the win, and the Monarchs held on to secure the 10-8 victory and a 1-0 start to conference play.
Game 2: Trojans Even Series with Explosive Start (Troy 13, ODU 4)
The momentum shifted dramatically on Saturday as Troy’s offense erupted for 13 runs in the first two innings. Chasing ODU starter Darin Kuskie after just one frame, the Trojans utilized four home runs, including a three-run blast by Nolan Book, to put the game out of reach early.
Despite the large deficit, ODU showed some life in the middle innings. Maverick Stallings provided a bright spot with a solo home run and a double. Reliever Cole Lanford also delivered a strong performance, throwing three scoreless innings and striking out four.
Game 3: Troy Secures Rubber Match (Troy 9, ODU 4)
Sunday’s series finale got off to a promising start, but ultimately went to the Trojans. The Monarchs struck first in the second inning when Macaddin Dye crushed a solo home run 427 feet over the left-field wall. However, Troy answered back with a five-run third inning, aided by a costly ODU throwing error.
The Monarchs attempted a rally in the sixth, when RBI singles from Dye and Grayson Sparr to cut the lead to 7-4, but they couldn't close the gap further. Troy’s bullpen shut the door over the final two frames to secure the 9-4 win and the series victory.
Top Performers & Series Leaders
| Player | Weekend Impact | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Maverick Stallings | Consistent power threat; reached base in all three games. | 4 Hits, 1 HR, 1 2B, 2 RBI |
| Macaddin Dye | Sparked Sunday's offense with a towering home run. | 1 HR, 2 RBI (Sunday) |
| Tyler Zedalis | Delivered the decisive blow in Friday's win. | 3-run HR (Friday); 2 Hits (Sunday) |
| Will Johnson | Key contributor in the series opener. | 3-RBI Double (Friday) |
Interesting Series Stats
- Power Surge: The two teams combined for 11 home runs over the three-game series.
- Road Warriors: Despite the series loss, ODU managed to tally at least 10 hits in each of the first two games.
- Sun Belt Standings: ODU moves to 1-2 in conference play, currently sitting in the middle of a highly competitive Sun Belt pack.
What’s Next?
The Monarchs (9-9) return to Norfolk for a cross-town midweek rematch against Norfolk State this Wednesday, March 18, at the Ellmer Family Baseball Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM EST as ODU looks to snap their two-game skid before heading into their first home conference series against App State next weekend.