Game Recap | ODU Unfiltered
Old Dominion (22-22) added a defining chapter to its 2026 season on Tuesday night, mounting a clutch three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to walk off with a 7-6 victory over VCU at the Ellmer Family Baseball Complex. In a game defined by grit and late-game resilience, Scotty Young delivered the final blow, lacing a two-RBI single up the middle to secure the Monarchs’ most dramatic win of the spring.
Game Recap: A Tuesday Night Turnaround
The contest started as an offensive struggle for the Monarchs, as the Rams (23-21) jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the third inning. ODU spent the middle frames chip-chipping away at the deficit, eventually knotting the score at 4-4 in the sixth after Efrain Morales delivered his second RBI single of the night.
The momentum seemed to shift back to Richmond in the top of the eighth when VCU’s Quinn Maher doubled down the right-field line to plate two unearned runs, giving the Rams a 6-4 cushion heading into the final frame.
The 9th Inning Rally
Facing a two-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth, the Monarch offense refused to go quietly:
- Setting the Table: Maverick Stallings and TJ Aiken reached base to put the tying runs on, setting the stage for the pinch-hitter.
- The Spark: Pinch-hitter Jack Slater came up clutch for the second time in two weeks, lacing an RBI double down the left-field line to score Stallings and move Aiken to third, cutting the lead to 6-5.
- The Walk-Off: With the game on the line, Scotty Young took a 0-0 pitch and drove it straight up the middle. Aiken and Slater both crossed the plate to seal the 7-6 comeback and ignite the celebration at the Bud.
Top Performers & Stat Leaders
| Player | Game Highlights | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Scotty Young | Delivered the walk-off 2-RBI single in the 9th. | 2-for-4, 2 RBI, 1 Run |
| Jack Slater | Clutch pinch-hit double to ignite the rally. | 1-for-1, 2B, RBI, 1 Run |
| Efrain Morales | Kept the Monarchs in it with two RBI singles. | 2-for-4, 2 RBI |
| Will Johnson | Constant threat at the top of the order. | 2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 Runs, 1 BB |
| Maddox Jack | Earned the win with a clean relief outing. | 1.0 IP, 0 R, 1-1 Record |
Interesting Game Stats
- Season Sweep: With this victory, ODU officially completes the season sweep of VCU, adding to their 12-10 win back in March.
- April Walk-Offs: This was ODU's third walk-off win at home this month (Richmond on 4/15, Georgia Southern on 4/18, and VCU on 4/28).
- Power and Patience: While the Monarchs were out-hit 9-11, they capitalized on VCU’s pitching mistakes and utilized three doubles to manufacture the win.
What’s Next?
The Monarchs (22-22) now turn their focus to the most critical stretch of the conference schedule. ODU hosts Arkansas State at the Ellmer Family Baseball Complex for a three-game Sun Belt set starting this Friday, May 1, at 6:00 PM EDT.
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