Offensive Explosion Lifts Army Past Alabama State

Tuesday, March 14

LakePoint Sporting Community, Emerson, Ga.

6 p.m.

Army West Point

5-10

Alabama State

7-10

Alabama State

Army West Point

Offensive Explosion Lifts Army Past Alabama State

March 14, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score

EMERSON, Ga. – The Army West Point baseball team saw its bats come alive as the Black Knights defeated Alabama State 13-6 here Tuesday night.

The Cadets registered season highs in runs, hits, RBIs, and stolen bases during the contest, while Jeremy Mortensen and Jacob Carte had a combined no-hitter going through four innings.

It was the most runs scored by the Black Knights since Army posting 13 in a victory over Harvard on March, 17, 2016.

Mortensen got the start on the mound, going the first three innings and registering a clean sheet with just one walk. The junior struck out three batters as well. Carte then came in for relief, pitching the next 3.2 innings, giving up five hits and six earned runs. Daniel Burggraaf closed out the game allowing just three hits during his 2.1 innings on the rubber. Carte added four strikeouts and earned the win, while Burggraaf fanned two.

Kris Lindner led Army's offensive attack, going a season best 4-for-5 with four RBI and two runs. The senior also drilled his third career home run in the seventh inning to highlight his impressive day.

Five other cadet-athletes posted multiple hits in the game with Josh White, Baggio Saldivar, Trey Martin, Brandon Lee and David Monge all notching two hits each. Jon Rosoff, Martin and Lee also chipped in two RBI a piece.

Army jumped out to the 2-0 edge after four innings, following RBIs from Rosoff and Martin. Alabama State answered with four runs in the top of the fifth, sparked by a two-run blast from Joseph Estrada over the right field fence.

The Black Knights wasted little time trailing though as they responded with a season-high eight runs in the bottom half to create a wide gap between the teams at 10-4. That inning was highlighted by eight singles, with two coming from Lindner's bat alone.

The Hornets grabbed one run back in the top of the sixth inning but a two-out single from Lee brought home Martin in the bottom half to keep it a six-run ballgame.

The two teams exchanged long balls in the seventh with Hunter Phillips and Lindner both going yard to right center.

Army's strong defense and pitching then took over in the final two innings to preserve the impressive win.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Carte earned his third career win on the mound.
Mortensen and Carte combined for four innings of no-hit baseball. The Hornets did not record their first hit until a double down the right field line in the top of the fifth.
Also in the fifth inning, the Black Knight gave up their first home run of spring break after Estrada went yard.
Alex Dickerson notched his second career triple with one out in the fourth. He was brought home two batters later after Martin singled through the right side.
White was credited with a sacrifice hit.
Rosoff, Lindner, Saldivar, Monge and Martin (2x) were all awarded stolen bases in the contest.
Hurtubise made an impressive running catch at the wall to record the second out of the ninth inning.
Army's pitching staff combined for nine strikeouts.
The Black Knights gave up two doubles and two home runs.
Phillips and Ray Hernandez were the only two Hornets' players to register multiple hits on the day.
Alabama State used four pitchers in the game, while Army used three.
The Hornets' saw Burke Echelmeier tabbed with the loss after going 4.0 innings allowing eight hits, five earned runs and three walks.

LINEUP BREAKDOWN
     White (SS): 2-for-4 with 2 runs
     Rosoff (C): 1-for-3 with 2 RBI, 2 runs and 2 walks
     Lindner (2B): 4-for-5 with 4 RBI and 2 runs
     Saldivar (DH): 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run
     Dickerson (1B): 1-for-5
     McCarthy (LF): 0-for-0 with a walk
        - Hudgins (LF): 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk
        - Hurtubise (CF): N/A
     Martin (3B): 2-for-5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs
     Lee (RF): 2-for-5 with 2 RBI and a run
     Monge (CF/LF): 2-for-4 with an RBI and 2 runs

     Mortensen (P): 3.0 innings, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
        - Carte (win): 3.2 innings, 5 hits, 6 earned runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
        - Burggraaf: 2.1 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

FACTS & FIGURES

Army posted 17 hits and 13 runs in the contest, while Alabama State recorded eight hits and six runs.
Both teams registered errors with the Cadets notching three and the Hornets' four.
Alabama State left eight runners on base, while Army stranded seven.

UP NEXT

These two teams will meet again on Wednesday in a 2 p.m. contest at Lakepoint Sporting Community in Emerson, Ga. Army will have left-handed pitcher Cam Opp on the mound, while the Hornets plan to throw lefty Ivanniel Vazquez. Live stats will be available at the start of the game.