Army Drops Game One of Series to Air Force

KINSTON, N.C. – Army West Point baseball dropped game one of the Freedom Classic against Academy rival, Air Force, 4-1, on Friday evening.

The Black Knights (2-5) tallied six hits on the day, but fell behind the Falcons (2-5) 4-0 after giving up one run in the first inning and three in the third and they were just unable to make a comeback.

Army starter Patrick Melampy gave up one run in the first inning, as a hit by pitch came around to score. Then in the fourth inning, the Falcons touched up Melampy for three runs on four hits, helped out by a wild pitch and a stolen base, and each of those base runners came around to score.

Melampy took the loss to fall to 1-2 on the year, tossed 5.0 complete innings, allowing four runs on nine hits with one walk and three strikeouts. He also hit two batters.

Reliver Ben DeLaubell looked strong for the Black Knights down the stretch, allowing just one hit in 3.0 complete innings of work, facing just two batters over the minimum. DeLaubel kept the Black Knights within striking distance of the Falcons through the final frames.

In the fourth inning the Black Knights got on the board, as Tim Simoes started things off with a bunt single. Anthony Giachin then doubled to right center field. With two in scoring position, Jeremiah Adams delivered the RBI groundout to plate Simoes and make it a 4-1 ballgame.

The Black Knights stranded six base runners during the final five frames, including two in the seventh inning. The Black Knights had the bases loaded with two outs, but Kevin Dubrule was picked off on first base to end the inning.

Simoes was the lone Black Knight to have a multi-hit outing, as he tallied a 2-for-4 night.