April 11, 2007
Box Score
NORFOLK, Va. - Old Dominion starter Dexter Carter struck out 12 Terrapin batters in eight innings of work to lead the Monarchs past the University of Maryland Friday, 4-2, in non-conference action at Bud Metheny Baseball Complex. ODU improved to 24-14, while the Terrapins (19-16) dropped their fifth straight game.
Carter (1-4) picked up his first win of the season, as the Monarchs built an early four-run lead and held off the Terps late. For Maryland, freshman Brett Curll (2-1) took the loss, the first in his career. Ross Fetterly pitched a scoreless ninth inning to notch his fourth save of the year.
The Monarch offense was led by freshman catcher Joe Velleggia, who was 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Velleggia was responsible for all four ODU runs, as he also scored twice. Right fielder Nick Erdman also chipped in two hits.
Maryland out-hit the Monarchs by a 9-7 margin, led by sophomores Dan Benick and Gerry Spessard, both of whom went 2-for-4 at the plate. Freshman AJ Casario also doubled twice, while Mike Murphy and Steve Braun each drove in a run. With the loss, the Terps' record when out-hitting their opponent dropped to 12-3.
Curll held the Monarchs scoreless through 2.1 innings before allowing an RBI single by second baseman Chris Keenan in the third inning. Velleggia scored on the play after a single up the middle led off the inning.
The freshman right-hander was replaced by classmate Tim Kearney, who was charged with two runs on Velleggia's double down the right field line. Kearney was lifted following one inning of work, and replaced by junior Brad Taylor, who allowed the two-base hit. The next batter, shortstop Gerard Hall, followed with a run-scoring single to right field, giving the Monarchs a 4-0 advantage.
Maryland made its first mark on the scoreboard in the fifth inning, when Murphy's single scored Casario, who had reached on a fielder's choice, then stole second base and took third on a passed ball.
The Terps moved within two runs an inning later, when Braun doubled to right-center field, scoring Spessard and making the score 4-2. Braun had a chance to close the gap to one run, but was called out at home plate after a wild pitch allowed him to move all the way from second base.
From there, the Terrapins could not advance any further as Carter and Fetterly held them scoreless for the next three innings. Junior reliever Brett Cecil prevented the Monarchs from expanding their lead, as he pitched two perfect innings.
Maryland returns home this weekend to face Boston College in a crucial Atlantic Coast Conference showdown at Shipley Field. First pitch Friday is set for 7 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday's games both set to commence at 1 p.m.
