Feb. 28, 2015 Box Score
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - Old Dominion rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat Rutgers baseball, 3-2, in the middle game of the series Saturday at the Ripken Experience. The Scarlet Knights collected nine hits in the game and played errorless in the field for the second consecutive night.
On the mound, junior Mark McCoy (Barnegat, N.J.) tossed 5.2 scoreless frames and left in line to win in his second start for RU. The left-hander scattered six hits and struck out four in the 95-pitch outing.
Senior Joe D'Annunzio (Scotch Plains, N.J.) and sophomore Christian Campbell (Sayreville, N.J.) both registered two hits in the contest, while junior R.J. Devish (Beachwood, N.J.) and sophomore Tom Marcinczyk (Middlesex, N.J.) each notched an RBI.
After each starting pitcher put three zeroes on the scoreboard, Rutgers (0-6) struck first with a manufactured run in the fourth. D'Annunzio banged a leadoff double to the left-center wall and moved up to third on a productive groundout by senior Vinny Zarrillo (Forked River, N.J.). Marcinczyk then followed with a groundball to second base with the infield back to drive in the first score of the night.
Devish extended the lead to 2-0 on a two-out single up the middle in the fifth after junior John Jennings (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) doubled the previous at bat. Sophomore Mike Carter (Bloomfield, N.J.) followed with an infield single to put runners at the corners, but the rally ended there.
ODU (2-3) put its leadoff hitter on base in the bottom of the sixth, but McCoy induced a pop fly and picked up a strikeout to collect two outs. Sophomore Colin Bohnert (West Caldwell, N.J.) next entered from the bullpen and painted the corner for a looking strikeout to quell the threat.
However, the Monarchs put together three runs on three hits in the eighth to take the lead. Tyler Ostrich had a one-out, two-run triple to tie the game and came around with two down on an infield single by Matt Cogen.
The Scarlet Knights threatened in the ninth by putting two on with one out. Campbell singled to left to start the inning and moved up to second on an advancing groundout by junior Chris Suseck (Flemington, N.J.). Freshman Kyle Walker (Piscataway, N.J.) was next summoned as a pinch hitter and stroked a single to right for his first collegiate hit, moving Campbell to third and running to second on an errant relay throw. The situation ended there as a strikeout and groundout stranded the two in scoring position.
Victor Diaz (1-1) earned the win for Old Dominion with 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, while Sam Sinnen picked up the save by working the ninth inning. Junior David Yakopec (Pittsburgh, Pa.) (0-1) took the loss.
Rutgers will look to salvage the finale of the series set for 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Sophomore Kyle Driscoll (Toms River, N.J.) will take the mound for RU.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@BaseballRU), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball) and Tumblr.