Army Falls to South Florida in Game Two

TAMPA, FL – The Army West Point baseball team (6-10, 0-0 PL) fell to the University of South Florida Bulls (8-12, 0-0, American) 5-3 in Game 2 Saturday morning. Army’s Ross Friedrick had a run, two RBIs, and a 2-run home run.

In the top of the first inning, the Black Knights got on the board first with Derek Berg scoring off of a sacrifice fly, taking an early 1-0 lead.

Entering the third inning, Army starter Matthew Ronnebaum (1-1) had two scoreless innings.

In the top of the third inning, the Black Knights continued to attack South Florida starter Hunter Mink with catcher Derek Berg hitting a leadoff double, putting a runner in scoring position. With one out, senior Ross Friedrick ripped a 2-run home run giving the Black Knights a 3-0 lead.

Army cleared the side with two strikeouts and a groundout.

The Bulls got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Drew Brutcher hit an RBI single up the middle, putting a runner in scoring position, and sending John Montes home, making it a 3-1 game. South Florida continued to chip away at Army’s lead with Eric Snow ripping an RBI single to left field, sending Drew Brutcher across the plate.

South Florida continued to cut into the Black Knights lead in the bottom of the fifth. With two runners on base, Montes hit a 3-run home run to center field, bringing Rafael Betancourt and Ben Rozenblum in to score, giving the Bulls a 5-3 lead. Army got out of the inning with two strikeouts and a fly out. in the seventh inning, South Florida’s Tanner Mink came into relief for Hunter Mink.

With one out in the seventh inning, the Black Knights threatened the Bulls. Ethan Ellis and Bret Copeland both got on base after getting hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with one out. South Florida got out of the inning with a foul tip and a strikeout.

Army again attempted to cut into South Florida’s lead with Braden Golinski hitting a single to shortstop with two outs. The Bulls got out of the inning with a groundout.

In the eighth inning, Joe Valchar came into relief for the Black Knights.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Valchar had a 1-2-3 inning after a fly out and two strikeouts.