THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503230708
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Second-ranked Clemson turned three Old Dominion errors into four unearned runs, enough to post a 4-2 victory on a chilly Wednesday night at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex.
The most damaging of Old Dominion's errors came in the fifth inning, when Gary Burnham's bases-loaded, two-out liner popped out of leftfielder Ray Russin's glove for a two-base error that cleared the bases.
Russin and centerfielder Maika Symmonds converged on the ball, but Symmonds appeared to pull up just as the ball reached Russin.
``That's the first time Symmonds has played centerfield all year,'' said Old Dominion coach Tony Guzzo, whose Monarchs lost to the Tigers for the fifth time this season. ``It was just a miscommunication.''
Clemson (22-1) scored its other run in the first, when Shane Monaghan reached on shortstop Ray Russin' throwing error and scored on catcher Matt LeCroy's sacrifice fly.
``I don't think it's on game night we have to improve,'' Old Dominion catcher Matt Quatraro said. ``It's in practice, where we have to work on avoiding the little mistakes that keep popping up on game night.''
The Monarchs (16-8) played without All-American centerfielder Kevin Gibbs, who strained a tendon in his left knee in Tuesday's game. Gibbs is expected back for ODU's weekend series against William and Mary.
The defensive miscues spoiled a solid outing by pitcher Justin Kreider, who learned of his starting assignment 10 minutes before game time. Kreider came into the game with a 6.38 ERA but held the powerful Tigers to just six hits through eight innings while striking out six.
Old Dominion got its runs in the fifth. Quentin Lindsey drove in the first run with a double.
Later, with the bases loaded and one out, Symmonds was hit by a pitch. The next batter, Riley, smashed a come-backer to pitcher Kris Benson, who fired home for the forceout. . Quatraro grounded out to first to end the threat.
That was all the offense the Monarchs could muster against Benson (5-0), Brian Matz and Scott Winchester, all of whom have ERAs under 1.00. Benson yielded all five of the Monarchs' hits in 7 1/3 innings. ILLUSTRATION: JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI
Old Dominion shortstop Jason Riley snaps off a throw after forcing
Clemson's Douglas Livingston at second base.
by CNB