P.J. Higgins knocked in a pair of runs for Old Dominion in the win.
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion Monarchs defeated the eighth-ranked Rice Owls 12-4 in a Conference-USA contest at the Bud Metheny Baseball Complex on Friday night.
The win is ODU’s second against a top-10 team this year. ODU (11-7, 2-2 Conference USA) beat then-No. 1 Virginia last week 14-5 in Charlottesville. The 12 runs scored by the Monarchs are the most the Owls (15-8, 6-1) pitching staff has given up this season.
Junior second baseman P.J. Higgins and junior designated hitter Derek Francis knocked in two runs apiece for ODU, while Higgins tallied three hits on the night.
C-USA Co-Pitcher of the Week and senior righthander Greg Tomchick picked up the win, his third of the season with relief help from Adam Bainbridge, Jake Josephs and Addison Barber.
Francis singled home C-USA Player of the Week Josh Eldridge in the first inning and then plated Higgins with a sacrifice fly RBI in the sixth. Higgins knocked in Jason McMurray and Zach Rutherford in the ODU four-run seventh.
Taylor Ostrich, Derek Francis, Connor Myers and Jason McMurray each had two hits for ODU, while Nick Walker drew three walks.
Rice designated hitter Kirby Taylor had three hits for the Owls, while John Williamson knocked in two runs with a double in the sixth inning.
