Hudgins Blasts First Home Run of Season for Army

Wednesday, February 21

Bronx, N.Y.

3 p.m.

Army West Point

1-3

Fordham

2-1-1

Army West Point

Fordham

Hudgins Blasts First Home Run of Season for Army

February 21, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score

BRONX, N.Y. – The Army West Point baseball team dropped a 3-2 midweek decision at Fordham here Wednesday afternoon.

A highlight on the day though was junior Matt Hudgins launching Army's first long ball of the year to right center. The Las Vegas, Nev., native now his eight career homers to his name. For the day, he went 2-for-3 with that blast and a double, making him the Black Knights' best performer in the game.

Jon Rosoff, Jacob Hurtubise and Anthony Giachin all added hits, while Rosoff and Hudgins accounted for both of Army's runs with an RBI.

Hurtubise was credited with his 20th career stolen base after swiping a bag in the top of the seventh.

Jacob Carte earned the loss after allowing two runs on five hits during his four innings of work. Rookie Matt Gray came in for 2.1 innings of relief, giving up three hits and one run. Cam Opp then closed out the game not allowing a hit through the final 1.2 innings.

Army left four runners on base in the opening two-and-a-half innings. The Rams finally broke the deadlock in the bottom of the third after Nick Labella recorded a lead off homer to left field.

The home team tacked on one additional run in the fourth before the Black Knights got on the board. Jax Luzinski earned a walk to kick off the inning. Tim Simoes was then hit by a pitch during the next at bat to place runners on first and second. After a strikeout, Fordham decided to make a pitching change. During the ensuing at bat, Josh White earned a walk to load the bases. Rosoff followed that up singling to left field to bring home Luzinski. Unfortunately, the Rams answered with a 4-6-3 double-play to halt what could have been a big inning for the Cadets.

Army then had another chance to tie the game in the top of the seventh with runners at the corners and two outs, but Fordham was able to catch Rosoff on a first and third rundown before the tying run scored, keeping it a 2-1 ballgame.

The Rams made it a two-run lead again in the bottom half after they combined for a one-out double and single to score their third run.

The Black Knights would not go away though as Hudgins sparked a small rally in the eighth after his one-out home run. Giachin added a single before Luzinski reached base after being hit by a pitch. Now with a runner in scoring position and two outs, the Rams needed a big out and that's exactly what they got. The home side notched a strikeout to end the inning and strand two Army runners on base ultimately sealing them the win.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

The Black Knights dip to 1-3 on the early season.
Rosoff earned two walks to lead either team.
Myles Mazeke and Rob Regine both saw their first collegiate action in Wednesday's game. Mazeke came in to pinch run for Luzinski in the eighth before Regine stepped in to play second base for pinch hitter Garrett Houston in the bottom half.
Opp has now pitched 5.1 innings of scoreless baseball, allowing only four hits and two walks during his time on the hill.
The Rams notched two extra base hits in the game with Justin Bardwell earning a double and Labella a home run.
Fordham used six pitchers in the game to just three for Army.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Black Knights compiled five hits and two runs, while Fordham posted eight hits and three runs.
The Rams were tabbed with the only errors in the game (2).
Army stranded nine runners on base to just four for Fordham.

UP NEXT

The Black Knights remain on the road for another three-game weekend series at Maryland.
Friday's contest is slated for 4 p.m. and Saturday's is set for 2 p.m. before the teams close out the set with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.