Army Black Knights Defeat Navy Midshipmen,11-4

ANNAPOLIS, MD. – The Army West Point baseball team (26-12, 14-2 PL) defeated the Navy Midshipmen (20-19, 12-8, PL) 11-4. Army’s Ross Friedrick batted 3-4, having two home runs, four RBIs, and two runs.

The Black Knights struck first in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Derek Berg ripped a leadoff single to left field, putting a runner on first. Kevin Dubrule ripped a single to left field with one out, putting runners on the corners. Senior Ross Friedrick hit a three-run home run, giving Army an early 3-0 lead. Navy starter Nate Mitchell (L, 6-3) cleared the side with a groundout and a fly-out.

In the bottom of the first, Navy attacked Army starter Tanner Gresham (W, 5-1). Nick Birch hit a leadoff home run, making it a 3-1 game. With one out, Alex Smith hit a single up the middle, putting a runner on first. Kyle Rausch reached first on a fielder’s choice; Smith was tagged at second. The Black Knights retired the side after Colin Smith lined out to second baseman Chris Barr.

Brock Murtha walked at the bottom of the second, putting a runner on first. Henry Mitchell hit a single to center field, putting runners on first and second. Zane Raba reached first on a fielder’s choice, Mitchell was tagged out at second, while Murtha came in to score, making it a 3-2 game. Army ended the inning with Derek Berg catching Raba stealing second.

With two outs in the top of the third inning, Friedrick attacked Mitchell, hitting a solo home run, giving the Black Knights a 4-2 lead. Junior Braden Golinski hit a double down the right field line, putting a runner in scoring position. Mitchell cleared the side with a strikeout.

The Midshipmen threatened Gresham in the bottom of the third. Leadoff hitter Eduardo Diaz hit a single through the left side, putting a runner on first. Alex Smith reached first on an error by Ruta, putting runners on first and second. Rausch grounded into a double play, and Alex Smith advanced to second, putting a runner in scoring position. Gresham retired the side with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Midshipmen threatened the Black Knights. Colin Smith walked, putting a runner on first. With one out, Smith advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. The Black Knights cleared the side after Zane Raba lined out to second baseman Chris Barr.

The bats came alive for the Black Knights in the top of the fifth inning. Kevin Dubrule hit a leadoff single to left field, putting a runner on first. With one out, Braden Golinski ripped a. single to shortstop, advancing Dubrule to second. With two outs, Addison Ainsworth hit an RBI single to left field, sending Dubrule in to score and advancing Golinski to second, making it a 5-2 game. Freshman Ethan Ellis blasted a three-run home run to left field, giving Army a commanding 8-2 game. Navy cleared the side with a fly-out.

The Midshipmen attempted their comeback with two outs in the bottom of the fifth. Alex Smith hit a single up the middle, putting a runner on first. Kyle Rausch hit a two-run home run, making it an 8-4 game. Army ended the inning with a popup.

Nolan Jorgenson came in to pitch relief for Nate Mitchell.

The Black Knights continued to attack Navy’s pitching staff. Derek Berg hit a solo home run to center field, giving Army a 9-4 lead. With one out, Army threatened to further extend its lead. Dubrule ripped a single through the left side, putting a runner on first. Ross Friedrick followed hitting a single to right field, advancing Dubrule to second, and putting a runner in scoring position. The Midshipmen retired the side with a fly-out and a groundout.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Midshipmen got out in order.

In the top of the seventh, Addison Ainsworth reached first on a muffed throw by Logan Keller. Ainsworth advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ainsworth advanced to third on the passed ball, putting a runner in scoring position. With one out, freshman Chris Barr hit an RBI triple, sending Ainsworth in to score, giving Army a 10-4 lead. With two outs, the Black Knights made it an 11-4 game, after junior Sam Ruta ripped an RBI single through the left side, sending Barr across the plate. The Midshipmen cleared the side with a fly-out.

Robbie Buecker came in to pitch relief for Tanner Gresham in the bottom of the seventh.

Brian Furey came in to pinch-hit for Zane Raba. Furey walked, putting a runner on base.

With one out, Eduardo Diaz hit a single to left field, sending Furey to second, putting a runner in scoring position. With two outs, Kyle Rausch reached on a fielder’s choice, and Diaz was tagged out at second, securing the win for the Black Knights.