ODU has momentum entering new league
Monarchs have surpassed 40 victories in past 2 seasons, but a more rugged Sun Belt awaits
NORFOLK — Old Dominion finished its baseball season last year with a 41-17 record, but didn’t make the NCAA Tournament after getting bounced from the Conference USA Tournament in the semifinals.
The 2022 season was the second straight where the Monarchs finished with 40 or more wins — and coach Chris Finwood is hoping this year’s team can carry that momentum.
“I think that it’s a good group, the attitudes are good and this program’s used to winning, and so we expect to,” Finwood said.
The Monarchs will move from Conference USA to the Sun Belt Conference this year. Old Dominion was recently voted No. 7 out of 14 teams in the preseason coaches poll.
“They’re based on what people did [last year] and who they’ve got back and … none of the coaches in the Sun Belt really know that much about Old Dominion, I think,” Finwood said. “Having said that, six pretty good teams in front of us. They were all in the regionals in the last two years, like we were, and so if you want to jump that up, then go beat them. And we’re certainly capable of that.”
The level of competition in the
Sun Belt will help Old Dominion’s RPI this season, Finwood said. Four Sun Belt teams qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year, the most of any non-Power Five
conference.
The Monarchs will be without reigning C-USA Player of the Year Matt Coutney. The Los Angeles Angels selected him in the 10th round of the MLB draft after a season that saw him hit .327 with an ODU single-season-record 27 home runs.
Finwood said it’s naturally a “big loss” with Coutney no longer on the team, but he is confident in his replacement: junior Hunter Fitz-Gerald.
“I’m really excited about [Fitz-Gerald],” Finwood said. “He’s a big left-handed hitter like Coutney was. He’s been our best hitter since he’s been here and he can hit the ball out of the ballpark and he’s a good hitter and a good defender.”
Fitz-Gerald transferred from Florida SouthWestern Junior College, where he hit .359 last year.
While Old Dominion might have lost a standout in Coutney, it retained another in sophomore pitcher Blake Morgan.
Morgan was C-USA’s Freshman of the Year last season, earned a first-team all-conference nod and was a freshman All-American.
“We had no idea what we had in Blake; I’d be lying if I said we did,” Finwood said.
Morgan didn’t get his first start until six weeks into the season, but finished with an 8-0 record, 1.69 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP.
Finwood said Morgan will be the starting pitcher on Opening Day and will be the Monarchs’ go-to
Friday night pitcher.
“He’s just a reliable kid. He’s got an out pitch — that change-up — it’s one of the best ones in the country and he can go to it whenever he needs it,” Finwood said. “Guys know it’s coming and they still have trouble with it a lot of the time. He’s gotten bigger and stronger, his velocity has gone up on his fastball. … His stuff is better.”
Finwood said junior third baseman Kenny Levari, senior outfielder Thomas Wheeler and junior second baseman Chris Dengler are players who have flown under the radar, but are poised for a breakout season.
Levari is a two-year starter for the Monarchs who Finwood said has “pop in his bat and is a phenomenal defensive player.” Wheeler is expected to hit leadoff, Finwood said.
Dengler has battled injuries in recent years, but Finwood is excited for his potential now that he’s fully healthy.
Pitcher Dylan Brown and infielder Alex Bouche, both freshmen, also are expected to play key roles, Finwood said.
The versatility of the players on this year’s roster is what gives ODU the potential to post another 40-win season, Finwood said.
“I think it’s gonna be an exciting team to watch,” Finwood said. “We’ve got some offensive firepower. We got some guys that can hit the ball out there in the road and we got some speed, and I think we’ve got some good arms on the mound that you know can light up the radar gun. So we just got to get out there and see what pieces fit in what hole.”
Norfolk State Opening series:
Morehead State at NSU, Saturday (noon DH) and Sunday (11 a.m. DH)
The Spartans will play their first season in the Northeast Conference and sixth season under coach Keith Shumate. NSU finished 15-32 overall and 12-18 in the MEAC last season. Senior outfielders Jacob Council and Dionte Brown (from
Smithfield High) return after leading NSU in batting last season at .346 and .314, respectively, and second baseman Raphael Rodriguez also batted over .300 last season. Junior lefty Dalton Barham (Maury) logged 51 innings in 11 starts last season, finishing 2-6 with a 5.79 ERA.
William & Mary
Opening series: William & Mary at Mercer, today (6 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.).
The Tribe and second-year coach Mike McRae welcome back nine pitchers who saw signifcant time on the mound last season, led by grad student and lefty Zach Tsakounis (5-3, 4.82 ERA), who led the Tribe in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts. Righty Carter Lovasz (2-1, 2.94 ERA, five saves) was a Collegiate Baseball freshman All-American last season. Joe Delossantos (.313 batting average, nine HRs), Cole Ragone (.287, 10 HRs, 47 RBIs) and Ben Williamson (.296 ) highlight W&M’s returners in the lineup.