Score: VCU 12, Old Dominion 5
Location: Norfolk, Va. (Bud Metheny Complex)
Records: VCU 9-7, Old Dominion 12-4
 
The short story: Senior centerfielder Hogan Brown and freshman third baseman Tyler Locklear helped stake VCU to a big early lead on the way to a wire-to-wire win at rival Old Dominion Wednesday.
 
FIRST PITCH

• Sophomore second baseman Michael Haydak enjoyed a 2-for-5 day at the plate with a pair of RBIs and three runs scored for VCU
• Brown, one of three Rams to record multiple base hits, was 2-of-4 and hit his second homer of the year, a solo shot in the second inning
• Junior designated hitter Liam Hibbits stroked a pair of singles and reached base four times on the day for the Black and Gold
• Graduate transfer Brandon Webb made the start on the mound for VCU and allowed just two hits and one run in 3.2 innings. He struck out a pair 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU touched up ODU pitching for 10 hits and seven walks. Monarch pitchers also tossed three wild pitches and hit three batters
• The Rams jumped on Old Dominion early and often. Haydak led off the game with a double to lef4t, and scored two pitches later on a single by Locklear. Hibbits followed with a walk, and junior left fielder Jack Schroeder doubled to plate the Rams second run of the game. The first six Rams reached base, and VCU eventually pushed four runs across in the frame
• The second inning was no relief for the Monarchs. Brown hammered a 2-1 pitch over the right field fence to lead off the inning spark a three-run outburst that pushed the VCU advantage to 7-0
• ODU pulled within 7-5, but VCU added four in the top half of the eighth and one in the ninth to pull away comfortably

NOTABLE

• VCU is averaging 8.8 runs per game in 2021
• The Rams have won four of their past five games

NEXT UP
VCU will host Liberty at The Diamond on Friday, March 19 at 4 p.m.