Tribe Defeats ODU, 7-4, to Earn Series Sweep

03/16/08 5:15PM

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The William and Mary baseball team earned a series sweep against Old Dominion with a 7-4 victory at Plumeri Park on Sunday afternoon. With the triumph, the Tribe (15-4, 7-2) extends its conference winning streak to seven games. Additionally, W&M improves to 12-1 in games at Plumeri Park this season.

Freshman RHP Tim Norton (3-0) allowed just two earned runs on six hits in 8.0 innings to earn the win, while junior RHP Dexter Carter (1-1) took the loss.

Junior Rob Nickle led the College at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Junior Jeff Jones went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while classmate Ben Guez hit a solo home run. Junior Mike Sheridan extended his hitting streak to 19 games this season.

The Tribe took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Guez sent a 3-2 offering over the right field fence.

W&M extended its advantage to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the second inning. Nickle reached on an error by ODU’s shortstop, and senior Greg Maliniak followed with a single through the right side. Jones then flew out to deep right, which allowed Nickle to advanced to third. Junior Lanny Stanfield plated the initial run with a sacrifice bunt, while junior James Williamson drove in Maliniak with a single to left center.

ODU got on the scoreboard with a run in the top of the third. Max Most registered a one-out double, and Bryan Cipolla drew a walk to put two runners aboard. After Most stole third, Anthony Shawler plated him with a two-out single to left center.

The College responded with a run in the bottom of the fourth to go ahead, 4-1. Jones led off the inning with a single and advanced to second when Williamson grounded out to third. Junior Tyler Stampone then drove in Jones with a two-out double down the left field line.

W&M added two more runs in the fifth when Nickle blasted a two-run shot over the left center field fence.

The Green and Gold pushed the lead to 7-1 with another run in the seventh inning. Sheridan led off the frame with a single through the right side and advanced to second when senior Tim Park grounded out. Nickle then drove Sheridan with a single to right center.

The Monarchs got two runs back in the eighth. With one out, Shawler singled and Chris Buss drove him in with a double to left center. After Jake McAloose recorded a two-out single, Gerard Hall struck out but reached on a passed ball, allowing Buss to cross the plate.

ODU scored again in the ninth but was unable to overcome the four-run deficit. Cipolla doubled with one out, and Shawler plated him with a double to right. However, junior RHP Jeremy Neustifter retired pinch hitter Chris baker to preserve the win.

The Tribe will return to action when it hosts Rhode Island on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Box Score