Army Drops Series Finale to Rutgers 11-6

Sunday, March 11

Fort Myers, Fla.

1 p.m.

Army West Point

6-7

Rutgers

8-6

Army West Point

Rutgers

Army Drops Series Finale to Rutgers 11-6

March 11, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Army West Point baseball team fell here Sunday afternoon to Rutgers, 11-6.

With the outcome, the Scarlet Knights swept the neutral site three-game weekend series.

It was a one-run ballgame for much of the day but two big four-run innings for Rutgers ultimately sealed the win.

The Scarlet Knights jumped in front 3-0 after the opening two innings. Army answered though in the top of the third to cut into the lead at 3-2. Jacob Hurtubise started the rally with a one-out walk. He stole second base before Rutgers tallied the second out of the inning. Jon Rosoff then singled through the right side during the ensuing at bat to bring home the speedy sophomore. John McKenna followed that up by getting hit by a pitch to place runners on first and second. After a Rutgers pitching change back-to-back walks drawn by Matt Hudgins and Anthony Giachin scored Army's final run of the frame.

It remained a one-run ballgame until the designated "home" team registered four runs in the bottom of the fifth to break the contest open at 7-2.

But the Cadets wouldn't go away, rallying for four runs of their own in the top of the seventh to again pull within one at 7-6. Tim Simoes led-off the inning singling to the shortstop. Hurtubise then reached on a fielder's choice, which erased Simoes from the base path, before Drake Titus earned a walk to put runners on first and second. During the ensuing at bat, Rosoff loaded the bases after reaching on a fielding error. McKenna then cleared things out with a three-run double to center field. The sophomore advance to third on the play as well. A Hudgins RBI groundout closed Army's scoring in the inning.

Unfortunately, the Scarlet Knights used three hits and an error to score four runs in the bottom half to extended their lead back to a sizable one at 11-6.

The Black Knights were looking to spark a one-out rally in the eighth after Jax Luzinski walked and Simoes singled but three-straight outs, including a double play ended Army's hopes abruptly.

Rosoff, McKenna, and Simoes each finished with two hits on the day. McKenna led the Cadets with three RBI, while Rosoff, Hudgins and Giachin accounted for the other three RBI.

Sam Messina was tabbed with the loss on the mound after giving up three runs on three hits and three walks. The junior was able to strikeout a team-best three batters though.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

McKenna drilled his fourth career double in the seventh inning, handing him three on the season.
Hurtubise swiped his team-high ninth base in the third frame.
Hudgins earned a game-high three walks.
Hurtubise and Rosoff touched home plate a team-best two times throughout the game.
McKenna currently leads the team with 11 RBI on the year after notching three on Sunday.
Three Scarlet Knights saw three players registered two or more hits in the game.
The Army pitching staff allowed two extra base hits when they gave up a double in the fifth and a home run in the seventh.
Cam Opp was tagged with four runs on five hits in his 3.0 innings of work.
Carter Van Gytenbeek allowed two unearned runs on two hits in 1.2 innings, while Daniel Burggraaf closed out the final 1.1 innings giving up two runs on one hit.
Rutgers used four pitchers in the game. Collin Kiernan earned the win after pitching 2.1 innings, allowing just one hit and three walks.
The Scarlet Knights pitching staff compiled nine strikeouts to just seven for the Black Knights.

FACTS & FIGURES

Army tallied six runs on six hits, while Rutgers finished with 11 runs on 11 hits.
Both teams were tagged with an error.
The Black Knights left nine runners on base. The Scarlet Knights stranded eight.

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