Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
Maryland
Maryland Outlasts Army, 7-6, In 13 Innings
February 26, 2011 | Baseball
Box Score
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Tomo Delp drew a bases loaded walk to force in the game-winning run in the bottom of the 13th inning as Maryland defeated Army, 7-6, on Friday afternoon in the opener of a three-game weekend series at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium.
Maryland (3-3) scored a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to send the game into extra frames, and the Terrapins plated the game-winning run without the aid of a hit in the 13th. Jack Cleary was hit by a pitch leading off the decisive inning, and he moved to second base when Army relief pitcher Ken Jackson (0-1) was cited for a balk. Cleary advanced to third as Alfredo Rodriguez laid down a sacrifice bunt. Rodriguez was safe at first after a Jackson throwing error, and consecutive walks to Korey Wacker and Delp sent Cleary to the plate with the game-winning run.
Wacker (1-0) allowed just one hit over the final four innings to pick up the win for Maryland. He was the seventh pitcher used by the Terrapins in the contest.
Nick Dignacco made the second start of his young career for Army and looked strong, as he allowed just two earned runs on four hits in six innings. Gunnar Carroll came on in relief of Dignacco and worked six innings, yielding two runs on five hits.
"I thought Nick threw the ball well today," said Army head coach Joe Sottolano. "He located his fastball with precision and came up with clutch pitches in key situations. He kept us in the ballgame and gave us an opportunity to win, which is his job as a starting pitcher. Gunnar came in and did a nice job. He was locating his pitches, and consistently got key outs when we needed them. Both Nick and Gunnar will continue to improve and develop as they log more innings."
Kevin McKague and Ben Koenigsfeld paced Army's attack at the plate, combining for four of the Black Knights' seven hits in the game. Koenigsfeld and Clint Moore each drove in a pair of runs for Army, while Steve May scored twice.
After being held without a hit over the first two innings, Army (1-4) turned a pair of doubles into three runs in the top of the third to take a 3-0 lead. David Darnell was hit by a pitch with one out, and he advanced to second base on Zach Price's sacrifice bunt. May became the second Black Knight to be hit by a pitch in the inning, putting two men aboard for Moore, the reigning Patriot League Player of the Week. The Greensboro, N.C., native wasted little time giving Army the lead, smacking the third pitch he saw into right field for a two-run double. McKague followed by ripping a double down the left field line, scoring Moore from second and pushing Army's advantage to three runs.
Maryland got two runs back in the bottom of the fourth inning, trimming Army's advantage to 3-2. Wacker and Delp opened the inning with consecutive singles and a one-out walk by Michael Montville loaded the bases for the Terrapins. Dignacco then uncorked a wild pitched, allowing Wacker to score from third as the other base runners each moved up a base. Jake Stinnett's RBI groundout allowed Maryland to plate its second run, but Dignacco struck out Gary Schneider to retire the side and prevent any further damage.
Army threatened to add to its lead in the fifth inning as the first three Black Knights reached base. Darnell singled to begin the inning, and Price and May both worked walks to load the bases. Maryland starting pitcher Sander Beck was able to escape the jam, however, striking out Moore and Koenigsfeld in the process.
Army had another opportunity to push across an insurance run in the top of the sixth as Brent Peterson walked to lead off the inning and advanced to third base when Beck's attempted pickoff throw sailed wide. Beck struck out the next three Army hitters, however, to get out of trouble and keep Maryland within one run.
Maryland took its first lead of the contest in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Terrapins plated a pair of unearned runs.
Maryland's lead was short-lived, however, as Army scored twice in the top of the seventh inning courtesy of a two-run single by Koenigsfeld. May walked with one out in the frame and stole second base after Moore struck out. McKague then reached on an infield single as May moved over to third. McKague promptly stole second base, putting two men in scoring position for Koenigsfeld, who delivered his first hit of the season and drove in the tying and go-ahead runs.
"For Ben to come through with a big hit in that critical spot in the game was exactly what we needed," said Sottolano. "He was able to keep his composure with two strikes and put a good swing on the ball."
The Black Knights rallied to score another run in the eighth inning to pad their lead. Sean McIlroy led off the frame with a pinch-hit single and he advanced to second on Darnell's groundout to the pitcher. Price drew a one-out walk and then both he and McIlroy executed a double steal to put runners on second and third. McIlroy then hustled home on a wild pitch, extending Army's advantage to 6-4.
The Terrapins refused to go away, though, tying the score at 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks to a two-run single by Cleary. Maryland put runners on second and third with two outs and Cleary came through with a base hit to level the score at six runs apiece.
After four scoreless frames, Maryland broke through and scored the game-winning run in the 13th inning, sending the Terrapins to their second straight victory. Army, meanwhile, has lost three straight since defeating Davidson last Saturday.
"We had several opportunities to put the game out of reach early, but we didn't get it done," said Sottolano. "I think it comes down to a battle of wills and a strong mental approach. I did not feel like we had that with any consistency tonight. When we win the mental game, we'll have a more favorable outcome. Until then, our ballclub will struggle."
Beck struck out 11 Army hitters during his six-inning outing. He allowed three earned runs on three hits and four walks.
Army and Maryland resume their three-game weekend series on Saturday (Feb. 26) at 1 p.m.
Game Notes: Army falls to 2-5 all-time versus Maryland ... the Black Knights played in their first extra inning game since losing a 10-inning contest to Bucknell in Game One of the 2008 Patriot League Semifinal Series, a span of 109 games ... it marked Army's longest game (by innings) since playing a 13-inning contest with Bucknell during the 2008 regular season ... Clint Moore extended his hitting streak to seven straight games, dating back to the 2010 season ... Moore's double was the 44th of his career, moving him into a tie for second place on the Academy's all-time list with Cole White (USMA '08) ... Moore needs just four more doubles to become Army's all-time leader ... Nick Dignacco and Gunnar Carroll both established new career bests for innings pitched (6.0) ... Zach Price drew five of Army's 11 walks in the contest ... Maryland pitchers recorded 19 strikeouts, compared to just two for Army.
