Old Dominion (14-16, 4-8 Sun Belt) showed the conference that they aren't going away quietly, pushing the eighth-ranked Southern Miss Golden Eagles to the brink this past weekend at the Ellmer Family Baseball Complex. While the series ultimately went to the visitors, the Monarchs' ability to punch back against a top-10 opponent—including a high-octane Friday night upset—proves this club has enough in the tank to compete with the best in the Sun Belt.
Game 1: Early Deficit Dooms Opener (USM 10, ODU 4)
The series opener on Thursday saw the Monarchs struggle to contain a potent Golden Eagle lineup that struck early and often. Southern Miss jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind a Davis Gillespie two-run homer and never truly looked back.
- Pitching Struggles: Darin Kuskie took the loss (2-5), surrendering seven earned runs on 10 hits over three innings of work.
- Solo Spark: The ODU offense was held to one run through the first six frames—a Maverick Stallings solo blast to left field in the fifth.
- Late Fight: The Monarchs added a pair of runs late, including a TJ Aiken double, but the deficit proved too large as USM racked up 15 hits.
Game 2: Monarchs Power Past the Eagles (ODU 10, USM 8)
Friday night under the lights provided the weekend’s defining moment as ODU knocked off the No. 8 team in the nation. It was a complete performance defined by a relentless middle-inning assault.
- Big Innings: Trailing 3-2 in the fourth, Macaddin Dye knotted the score with a towering solo shot. The dam finally broke in the sixth when ODU exploded for six runs, highlighted by a bases-loaded walk from TJ Aiken and a Zach Leite home run.
- Holding On: Southern Miss mounted a furious five-run rally in the ninth, but reliever Ben Tanton (3-0) and the Monarch defense stiffened to secure the 10-8 victory.
- The Catalyst: Will Johnson was the offensive engine, finishing with a 2-RBI single in the second and constant pressure on the basepaths.
Game 3: Heartbreak in the Rubber Match (USM 8, ODU 7)
Saturday’s finale was a back-and-forth slugfest that saw ODU fall just one run short of a massive series win. In a game defined by small margins, the Golden Eagles managed to escape with the win and the series.
- Gritty Effort: Despite being out-hit, the Monarchs stayed within striking distance throughout, putting the tying run on base in the final frame before a Southern Miss strikeout ended the threat.
- The Toll: The 8-7 defeat marks ODU's fifth loss by a single run this season, a statistic that underscores both the team's competitiveness and their current struggle to close out tight conference matchups.
Top Performers & Series Leaders
| Player | Weekend Impact | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Maverick Stallings | Consistent power threat; reached base in all three games. | 1 HR, 2B, 3 RBI |
| Zach Leite | Provided veteran leadership and a clutch Friday HR. | 4 Hits, HR, 3 RBI |
| Will Johnson | Constant spark plug; 2-RBI single ignited the Game 2 win. | 3 Hits, 3 Runs, 2 RBI |
| Macaddin Dye | Launched a crucial game-tying HR on Friday. | 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 Runs |
Interesting Series Stats
- Upset Potential: Friday's 10-8 win was ODU's first victory over a top-10 team since the 2024 season.
- Offensive Consistency: ODU averaged 7 runs per game over the weekend against a Southern Miss pitching staff that leads the conference in ERA.
- Free Passes: Monarch hitters displayed disciplined eyes at the plate, drawing 14 combined walks over the three-game set.
What’s Next?
The Monarchs hit the road for a busy week of away contests. ODU travels to Williamsburg tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7, for a 6:00 PM EDT first pitch against William & Mary.
They then head to Huntington, West Virginia, for a critical three-game Sun Belt series against Marshall:
- Friday, April 10: 6:00 PM EDT
- Saturday, April 11: 5:00 PM EDT
- Sunday, April 12: 1:00 PM EDT