University of Virginia Library

Horsehiders Hold ODU,7-5,
Ninth Inning Rally Stymied

By CLARK EMERSON

Jim West's Cavaliers limited a
ninth-inning Old Dominion
rally to two runs to save a 7-5
victory on the Monarchs' home
field Monday.

Charlie Williams squelched
all ODU chances for a victory
when he grabbed a strong line
drive at first base and
immediately threw to Dean
Pallotta at second, catching the
Monarch runner off base for
the game-ending tag.

Virginia had previously built
a five run lead, due in part to
Dave Bratt's hitting. The
fourth-year outfielder's offense
generated five runs–all in the
middle innings.

His bases-loaded triple
produced three fifth inning
RBI's and a Monarch
mishandling of his shot to
shortstop allowed two more
Cavaliers to score in the sixth.

ODU Grabbed Early Lead

Old Dominion led early in
the contest, nosing ahead in
the fourth with two scores on
four hits off winner Steve
Brindle. Brindle's record rose
to 4-1, including wins in his
last four starts. He also
furthered his cause at the plate,
sharing the batting leadership
with teammate Bratt by
knocking two singles.

The Cavaliers answered the
ODU threat in the fifth inning
with a scoring spree begun
by a Brindle hit. Dan Bernstein
and Jon Williams drew walks
from the Monarch's losing
pitcher, Sam Hamara, to load
the bases in preparation for
Bratt's triple. Dean Pallotta's
single brought Bratt home to
finish the inning's total at four
runs.

Williams and Brindle opened
the sixth with singles and Steve
Sroba walked to torment the
Monarch defense again with
loaded bases. Hamara's wild
pitch gave Bernstein his second
free ticket of the afternoon
and forced in an easy score.
ODU's fumbling of Bratt's hard
grounder pushed Virginia's
final runs to the plate.

Coach West was pleased
both with his basball club's
afternoon effort and their
season in general. "We've had a
good spring," he said, "except
for our performance in the
ACC tournament," where the
Cavaliers surrendered their
conference title to N.C. State.

"We should have never lost
to Clemson on Saturday," he
added. "Twelve men left on
base and only one run. If we'd
won that game, there's no way
we could have been beaten
Sunday."

Good, Young Team

"But this was a young team
and they've definitely
improved steadily throughout
the season. Our hitters were
outstanding."

West's squad ends this
spring's schedule with weekend
home contests against VMI
Saturday and VPI Sunday.