Box Score Box score

Northeastern hung with Old Dominion the entire game, but a costly error from an unlikely source ended up being the difference as the Monarchs squeaked out a 4-3 win over the Huskies at Friedman Diamond. With one out in the tenth, senior David Gustafson dropped a fly ball, allowing the runner to reach second. He would score when ODU's Jake McAloose roped a two-out double just two batters later. It was Gustafson's fourth error of his career. Prior to the game, his .990 fielding percentage was tied for second best in school history among four-year players.

Senior Charly Bashara was outstanding on the mound, throwing eight innings and allowing just three runs (two earned) on five hits. He struck out seven batters. Reliever Dan Zehr tossed two great innings, striking out four batters and allowing just one hit, the double by McAloose. Zehr takes the loss for NU despite not allowing any earned runs.

The Huskies swung the bats well, garnering three runs on seven hits. Gustafson earned two hits and scored a run, while five players each chipped in one hit. John Puttress earned a single and had two RBI. Logan Gillis singled and had an RBI, while Matt Miller also had a single and scored a run. Tony DiCesare scored a run after hitting a triple, his fifth of the year and 11th of his career. He is now just two triples away from tying the school's career triples leader, John Griffin, with 13.

Frank Compagnone added a double, his eighth of the season. DiCesare and pinch hitter Jeff Dunlap were the only two Huskies to draw walks on the day.

The game remained scoreless through the first three frames, as Bashara and ODU starter Chris Boggs worked quickly and efficiently. Old Dominion got on the board first, though, on a solo home run from Chris Baker in the top of the fourth. The Huskies countered in the bottom half of the frame with DiCesare's triple to deep center field. He scored on the next play when Puttress grounded out to shortstop.

The score remained tied at 1-1 through the next three innings, with neither team getting significant runners on base. Old Dominion struck with two runs in the eighth, however, to go up 3-1.

The Huskies fought back, scoring two of their own to tie the game after eight innings. Gustafson led off with a single and moved to third on the next play. Miller hit a ground ball in the whole between second and first, which the second baseman barely reached. Miller beat the throw to first, but the throw glanced off the pitcher's glove, allowing Gustafson to take an extra base. He scored on the next play as Logan Gillis roped a single to left field. A walk to DiCesare loaded the bases, setting up Puttress for his second RBI groundout of the game.

Both teams went down in order in the ninth after a 30-minute rain delay put both teams on edge. It was the top of the 10th that proved fatal for NU, as the Huskies fell 4-3 in an extra inning heartbreaker. A leadoff walk was all they could muster in their last at bat.

Northeastern closes out its final home series of 2010 tomorrow in game three between the Huskies and Monarchs. Tomorrow is Senior Day for NU, where the program will honor the seniors who have dedicated to much to the team. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.