Black Knights Baseball Defeats Air Force 6-4

CLEBURNE, TX – In Game 2 of the Liberty Classic, the Army West Point baseball team (2-0) defeated the Air Force Academy Falcons (0-2) 6-4, Saturday afternoon. Army’s Bret Copeland was 2-4 with 3 RBI.

With the game tied 4-4 in the seventh, Kevin Dubrule hit an RBI single which proved to be the difference in the game as Army held on for the 6-4 victory.

In the top of the first inning, the Falcons got on the board first when Jake Greiving hit a single that scored Sam Kulasingam. Air Force extended its lead in the top of the second with Chase Spencer hitting a homerun. Kulasingam gave the Falcons another run with Kulasingam hitting a single up the middle advancing Trayden Tamiya across the plate, making it a 3-0 game.

The Black Knights responded in the bottom of the second inning when Bret Copeland hit a single to center field, sending Justin Lehman across the plate. With two runners on base, Army’s Addison Ainsworth hit a ground out to first advancing Copeland to second and scoring Lehman, making it a 3-2 game.

After a scoreless third inning, Air Force extended its lead in the top of the fourth, making it a 4-2 game with an RBI single by Kulasingam sending Aaron Reyes across the plate.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Army’s bats came alive. Golinski got on base after hitting a single. With two outs, Justin Lehman singled through the left side, advancing Golinski to third. Army’s Bret Copeland tied everything up with a two run single sending home Lehman and Golinski.

Relief pitcher Mike Ruggieri cleared the side in the top of the seventh, junior Sam Ruta hit a double down the right field line in the bottom of the seventh. With a runner on third, Kevin Dubrule singled to right field, bringing Ruta into score, giving the Black Knights their first lead of the day. Extending their lead, Golinksi fired off a double to left center, sending Dubrule to score.

In the eighth inning, Ruggieri cleared the inning, striking out Jay Thomason and Aaron Reyes. In the top of the ninth, Sean Dennehy went to the mound striking out Air Forces final two batters to secure the save.

Army starter Matthew Ronnebaum (No Decision) worked 5.0 innings, giving up 10 hits, 4 earned runs, 3 strikeouts, and no walks.

Air Force starter Dylan Rogers (No Decision) went 5.0 allowing 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned run, and 8 strikeouts. Air Force reliever Ryan Stohr (0-1) took the loss, giving up 6 hits, 4 runs.