NORFOLK, Va. – The William & Mary baseball team snapped a three-game losing streak after upending in-state rival Old Dominion, 5-2, on Wednesday evening. Junior Hunter Smith was a triple away from hitting for the cycle and platted a season-high four runs to lead the Tribe (9-16) past the Monarchs (9-14).

The Tribe bats came alive early after collecting five hits through the first three innings in taking a 2-0 lead. In the opening frame, freshman Matt McDermott belted a single up the middle and he came home on a single through the left side by Smith. During the third inning, freshman David Hogarth and Smith both doubled, before sophomore Brandon Raquet drove in the second run courtesy of a single to left field.

Smith continued to abuse the Monarch hurlers in the fourth inning to extend W&M's advantage. After the first out, senior Ryan Hall drew a walk and McDermott reached safely on a bunt single. With two outs, Smith then barreled a three-RBI home run to left field, giving the Tribe a 5-0 lead.

Nonetheless, ODU chipped away at the W&M margin with a pair of one-run innings in the bottom half of the fourth and sixth. The Monarchs scored their first run behind a solo shot to left field by Brian Morley. ODU started the sixth inning with back-to-back singles and Morley posted his second RBI on a fielder's choice.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Monarchs drew a leadoff walk and followed up with a single in order to put the game-tying run at the plate. However, sophomore Wade Strain worked out of the jam with a strikeout and back-to-back grounders to secure the triumph.

Tribe Standouts
Smith finished the night 3-for-5 and scored twice in highlighting the offensive production. McDermott tallied two more hits and also scored a pair of runs. Hall doubled for the eighth time in 2018 and Hogarth notched his second. Sophomore Michael Goldak struck out four batters in two innings.

Inside the Numbers
- The W&M pitching staff combined for a total of 12 strikeouts and did not allow a hit with a runner in scoring position.
- W&M tallied four extra base hits, while the Monarchs managed just one
- Junior Nick Butts (1-1) received the win after tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and two hits on a staff day.
- Strain collected his third career save by allowing only one hit in the ninth inning.
- Trey Fisher (0-1) was charged with the loss, yielding two hits and an earned run in 1.1 innings.

Notes
The Green and Gold is now 5-0 when it scores in the first inning and 8-3 after tacking on the first run of a game...Smith recorded his fourth home run and totals 11 in his career…Smith also leads the team with eight multi-hit games and five multi-RBI efforts…Hall needs just one more double to reach 50 in his career…Senior Charlie Fletcher made his 89^th career appearance and is eight short of shattering the record…McDermott is riding a four-game hitting streak… Butts garnered his first career win on the mound…W&M earned its first win at ODU since 2011.

Up Next
The Tribe will host its first Colonial Athletic Association series against UNCW this weekend. The three-game set opens on Friday, March 30 at 6 pm, continues on Saturday, March 31 at 4 pm and ends on Sunday, March 31 at 1 pm.