Box Score April 15, 2017 Final Stats
NORFOLK, Va. - In a game filled with fireworks, Louisiana Tech found themselves on the wrong end of a controversial play as Old Dominion eked out a 3-2 win on Saturday afternoon in Norfolk.
Freshman Kyle Griffen stole the show on Saturday night and dazzled with a 4.2 inning performance in just his second career outing. Griffen allowed just four hits and struck out four and was responsible for a lone unearned run.
Louisiana Tech was held hitless for the first seven innings and ODU held a 2-0 lead, but Jonathan Washam got the Bulldogs in the hit column with a leadoff single in the top of the eighth. After a throwing error by Monarch pitcher Adam Bainbridge, Louisiana Tech had runners on second and third with two outs.
Brent Diaz then reached first on a hit-by-pitch and Bainbridge traded words with the home plate umpire, arguing that Diaz leaned in. On the next pitch, Jordan Washam grounded out to Bainbridge who then ran in front of the Louisiana Tech dugout and confronted Washam. Both benches cleared but remained separated.
After Griffen shutdown the Monarchs in the eighth, a re-energized Louisiana Tech came out firing in the top of the ninth. Sean Ullrich opened things up, ripping a single through the left side and Marshall Boggs followed with a double down the left field line.
Chase Lunceford cut the deficit to one with an RBI-single through the right side.
Jonathan Washam had one job, get Boggs home from third. With nobody out, Washam got the job done. The Monarchs turned a double play, but Washam got the ball to the right side of the infield and Boggs scored to tie the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the ninth, ODU had the winning run on third with two outs. Kyle Battle hit a chopper that was originally foul, but Diaz waited for the ball to roll back fair and threw out Battle at first. Unfortunately for Louisiana Tech, the home plate umpire ruled the ball foul.
Old Dominion won the game on an RBI-single on the very next pitch.
Louisiana Tech and Old Dominion are back in action tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed on CUSA.TV and broadcast on ESPN 97.7.
