VCU played extra baseball on a chilly Easter Sunday, splitting a double header with rival Old Dominion. The Rams won 5-4 in the first game and dropped the second 6-4.
In game one, the Rams were down 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth when super sophomore Jared Bolden (Lynchburg, Va./E.C. Glass) started the inning off with his second triple of the game. Sophomore Chris Jackson (Midlothian, Va./Machester) then brought Bolden in with a single down the right field line.
Solid defense, which consisted of diving catches and powerful pitching, kept ODU in check the majority of the game. The score remained tied 3-3 until the top of the 10th when the Monarchs gave the Rams a major scare. VCU escaped a bases loaded situation and gave up one run. With backs against the wall, John Leonard (Virginia Beach, Virginia/Kellam) hit the game’s only home run in the bottom of the 10th to tie the game 4-4.
The Score
VCU 5,4
ODU 4,6
Bolden came up big again in the bottom of the 13th inning as he hit a single, stole second and advanced to third because of a bad throw by the ODU catcher. The Monarchs tried to strategize by walking the next two VCU batters to face catcher Carlos Rodriguez (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico) with the bases loaded. The plan backfired as Rodriguez knocked in the winning run with a single to center.
The Rams were not as fortunate in game two. The black and gold fought back from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game, but Monarchs left fielder Mike Zahm hit a solo home run in the top of the ninth to give ODU all it would need to win. Jake McAloose later scored on a wild pitch to give the Monarchs the final margin of victory. Bolden went 2 for 3 in game two to finish the day 5 for 8 at the plate. Jackson, who extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a 1 for 5 performance in game one, went 0 for 5 in game two. The Rams now stand at 5-6 in the CAA and 19-13 overall following the loss.