Black Knights Edge Past Lafayette to Win Series

WEST POINT – The Army West Point baseball team (30-14, 18-4 PL) defeated the Lafayette College Leopards (14-31, 10-11, PL) 9-6 Sunday morning. Army’s Braden Golinski batted 2-4, with a triple, an RBI, and two runs.

In the top of the first, the Leopards threatened Army starter Mike Ruggieri (No Decision). With one out, Pete Ciuffreda walked, putting a runner on first. Michael Zarrillo hit a single to right field, putting runners on first and second. The Black Knights retired the side with a fly-out and a strikeout.

Army got out in order in the bottom of the first.

The Black Knights attacked Lafayette starter Joe Skapinetz (No Decision) in the bottom of the second. Leadoff hitter Ross Friedrick blasted a solo home run to center field, giving Army a 1-0 lead. Junior Braden Golinski hit a triple to left center, putting a runner in scoring position. Coleson Titus ripped a double down the right field line, sending Golinski in to score, giving the Black Knights a 2-0 lead. With one out, freshman Ethan Ellis hit a single to center field, advancing Titus to third. Freshman Chris Barr hit a sacrifice bunt, Ellis advanced to second, and Titus came in to score, making it a 3-0 game. With two outs, Ellis advanced to third on a wild pitch, putting a runner in scoring position. Skapinetz ended the inning with a groundout.

With one out in the top of the third, the Leopard attacked the Black Knights. Easton Brenner reached first on an error by Ruggieri, Brenner advanced to second on the throw, putting a runner in scoring position. Ciuffreda hit a home run down the right field line, sending Brenner in to score, making it a 3-2 game. Army cleared the side with a groundout and a fly-out.

Luke Craytor came in to pitch relief for Joe Skapinetz in the bottom of the third.

In the top of the fifth, the Leopards threatened Army. With two outs, Cuiffreda walked, putting a runner on first. Zarrillo ripped a single to third base, putting a runner in scoring position. The Black Knights retired the side with Derek Berg picking off Zarrillo at first.

Army attacked Craytor in the bottom of the fifth. Ellis was hit by a pitch, putting a runner on first. Freshman Chris Barr bunted a single to third, advancing to second on a throwing error by Craytor, bringing Ellis in to score, giving the Black Knights a 4-2 lead. Lafayette cleared the side with three strikeouts.

The Leopards got out in order in the top of the sixth.

The Black Knights extended their lead in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs, Coleson Titus reached first on a throwing error by second baseman Kyle Chmielewski. Titus advanced to second on a wild pitch, putting a runner in scoring position. Addison Ainsworth ripped an RBI single through the left side, advancing to second on the throw, sending Titus across the plate, extending Army’s lead to 5-2. The Leopards retired the side with a groundout.

Lafayette began its comeback in the top of the seventh inning. Leadoff hitter Michael Mallas walked, putting a runner on first. Justin Weiss reached on a fielder’s choice and Mallas was tagged out at second, by Chris Barr. Sean Dennehy came in to pitch relief for Mike Ruggieri. John Ahler came in to pinch run for Weiss. With two outs, Brenner hit a single to right field, advancing Ahler to third, putting a runner in scoring position. Ciuffreda walked, loading the bases. The Leopards made it a 6-5 game, after Michael Zarrillo hit a grand slam to left field. Dennehy retired the side with a strikeout.

The Black Knights responded in the bottom of the seventh. Leadoff hitter Chris Barr ripped a single up the middle, putting a runner on first. With one out, Barr stole second, putting a runner in scoring position. With two outs, senior Kevin Dubrule hit an RBI single through the left side and advanced to second on the throw, sending Barr in to score, making it a 6-6 game. Relief pitcher James Reese came into the game for Luke Craytor. Friedrick was intentionally walked, pitting runners on first and second. Braden Golinski retook the lead for Army, after hitting an RBI single to center field, Friedrick advanced to third, and Dubrule in to score, making it a 7-6 game. Titus was hit by a pitch, loading the bases.

Ainsworth walked, advancing runners, sending Friedrick across the plate, making it an 8-6 game. The Black Knights made it a 9-6 game, after Ellis walked, sending Golinski in to score. Adam Bogosian came in to pitch relief for James Reese. The Leopards ended the inning with a groundout.

In the top of the sixth, Bret Copeland went to second for Barr. Lafayette threatened Dennehy. Grech hit a leadoff single to left field, putting a runner on first. Grech stole second, putting a runner in scoring position. Kyle Chmielewski walked, putting runners on the corners. Michael Mallas hit a sacrifice bunt, advancing runners to second and third. Dennehy retired the side with two strikeouts.

In the top of the ninth, Patrick Melampy came in to pitch relief for Sean Dennehy. Melampy secured the win for Army with two strikeouts and a fly-out.