By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — With redshirt senior Caleb Cross tossing seven hitless and scoreless innings as App State’s starting pitcher vs. Old Dominion in Game 1 of the 3-game weekend series, the Mountaineers got all the offensive production they needed in cruising to a 9-4 Sun Belt Conference win at Smith Stadium on March 28, in front of 802 fans in bright, sunny weather.
With Cross mowing down the Monarch batters — the only Old Dominion baserunners were three walks scattered across Cross’ seven innings of work — App State manufactured three runs in the bottom half of the second, one in the bottom of the 4th inning, then exploded for five runs in the 7th and 8th frames.
I trusted the process… I let them hit the ball and let the defense work behind me.
Of his pitching performance, which only included two strikeouts, Cross said afterwards, “I just trusted the process, trusted the pitch plan and went straight at them. I let them hit the ball and let the defense work behind me.”
Redshirt junior Jordan Fisher came on in relief for the final two innings after Cross struck out the Monarchs’ designated hitter Efrain Morales on pitch No. 112. While Fisher had a rocky start, giving up four runs on three hits with a walk and two hit batters, the 6-4, 221 lb. right hander from East Lincoln HS settled down to strike out Monarch third baseman Tyler Zedalis on just four pitches to end the game.
Cross (3-1) was credited with the win, while Old Dominion’s Ben Moore (1-3) picked up the loss.
App State’s offensive production featured a pair of home runs, one each off the bats of Kameron Miller and Tyler Lichtenberger. For sophomore first baseman Miller, it was the No. 6 dinger of the young season. For freshman infielder Lichtenberger, it was the first HR of his career.
App State catcher Braxton Church rapped out his 10th double of the year and stole his fifth base. Lichtenberger and center fielder Charlie Evans also were credited with doubles among the Mountaineers’ 14-hit power display.
App State and Old Dominion meet again for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m, and 6 p.m.
