Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short for Black Knights

Thursday, March 15

DeLand, Fla.

1 p.m.

Army West Point

7-9

Rhode Island

3-11

Army West Point

Rhode Island

Ninth-Inning Rally Falls Short for Black Knights

March 15, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score

DELAND, Fla. – The Army West Point baseball team dropped a 6-4 decision here Thursday afternoon to Rhode Island.

The two teams faced off in a neutral site contest at Stetson's Melching Field at Conrad Park.

Army tried to rally with four runs in the final frame but ultimately couldn't overcome an early deficit.

It was a scoreless deadlock until the Rams tallied the first run of the game in the third inning following nearly back-to-back doubles.

Rhode Island extended its lead to 4-0 one inning later when it scored three runs on two hits and one error.

Then in the sixth inning, the Rams made it a 6-0 ballgame when they converted on two hits to push across two more runs.

Army would not go away though, making things interesting in the ninth inning. Josh White earned a lead-off walk before the Rams tallied the first out of the frame. Another walk drawn by John McKenna then placed runners on first and second. Rhode Island forced the Black Knights to hit into a fly ball for the second out but back-to-back walks on the next two plate appearances brought home Army's first run of the game.

With the bases still loaded and two outs, Jax Luzinski stepped up as a pinch hitter for the Cadets. The rookie then drilled a shot into the left center gap to bring home two more runs. Pinch hitter Garrett Houston was hit by a pitch during the ensuing at bat to again fill up the bases. Jacob Hurtubise followed that up with a single through the right side to bring home what ended up being Army's final run.

The Rams finally ended the two-out rally with a strikeout to end the Black Knights' hopes of pulling even.

Army finished with four hits in the game thanks to singles by Tim Simoes, Anfernee Crompton, Hurtubise, and Luzinski.

Cam Opp was tabbed with the loss after allowing four hit and four runs, three of which were earned, in his 4.0 innings of work.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Hurtubise and Simoes both tallied an RBI in the game.
Luzinski recorded his first career hit and it was a big one as it brought home two runs.
John McKenna drew a team-high two walks.
White registered Army's lone sacrifice hit in the game.
Hurtubise, McKenna, and Houston were each hit by a pitch.
The Black Knights used five pitchers in the game.
The Rams tallied two extra base hits with two doubles in the third inning.
Blake Walters and Joe Santoro posted hitless and scoreless frames in the fifth and eighth inning, respectively, allowing only one walk each.
Ray Bartoli made his third career appearance on the hill, giving up two hits, two runs and one walk in his one inning of work. The rookie did manage to strikeout three.
Harry Flannery Jr. got one inning of work in as well, relinquishing just one hit and one walk during his time.
Rhode Island sent four pitchers out to the mound on Thursday.
Matt Murphy improved to 1-1 on the season after allowing just one hit in his 7.0 innings of work. The senior compiled a game-best six strikeouts as well.
Two Rams posted two hits each to lead all players.

FACTS & FIGURES

Army compiled four runs on four hits, while Rhode Island tallied six runs on seven hits.
The Cadets were credited with the game's only two errors in the game.
The Rams left 10 runners on base. The Black Knights stranded seven.

UP NEXT

To close out its spring break trip, Army will travel to USF for a three-game series.
First pitch on Friday is 7 p.m., while Saturday's contest begins at 6:30 p.m. The two teams then face off one final time on Sunday at 1 p.m.