Bats Come Alive in 11-7 Win over Bryant

Friday, March 2

Cary, N.C.

1:30 p.m.

Army West Point

4-4

Bryant

0-7

Bryant

Army

Bats Come Alive in 11-7 Win over Bryant

March 02, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score

CARY, N.C. – The Army West Point baseball team started its three-game neutral site weekend out on the right foot with an 11-7 victory over Bryant here Friday afternoon.

The Black Knights were not always sitting pretty in the game, as they found themselves in a 4-1 hole after the opening two innings. Fortunately for the designated "home" team, they registered five runs on five hits in the third to create a 6-4 gap between the teams.

During that frame, Jacob Hurtubise, Jon Rosoff, Garrett Houston, Anthony Giachin and Tim Simoes all posted singles. Houston and Simoes reeled in two RBI each, while Rosoff accounted for the other Army run.

Starting pitcher Tyler Giovinco then sat the next 10-of-11 Bulldogs down in order before giving up a single through the right side, which ultimately ended his night.

The junior finished allowing five runs on eight hits with no walks in 117 pitches. The Las Vegas, Nev., native also notched a career-best 12 strikeouts during his time on the hill. He shifts to 2-1 on the early season as Army's Day 1 weekend starter.

The Cadets added two additional runs in the sixth to make it an 8-4 ballgame. Hurtubise scored during that inning on an error before John McKenna converted on a sacrifice bunt to bring Drake Titus home.

The Bulldogs would not go down quietly though as they rallied for three big runs in the top of the seventh on four hits.

Army answered in the bottom half with three scores of its own to turn an 8-7 contest into an 11-7 one. Hurtubise's final hit of the afternoon was a big one as he doubled down the left field line to bring Simoes across home plate. Then with runners on the corners, Rosoff drilled a single to center field, which allowed two more runs to score.

Cam Opp, who came in for relief in the seventh, posted a one, two, three eighth inning to keep the Black Knights' four-run lead intact.

The Cadets managed a one-out single in the bottom of the eighth but left the runner stranded after Bryant turned a double play to end the inning.

Army then needed three more outs to secure its fourth win of the year. Insert Daniel Burggraaf, who has worked his way into the Black Knights' closer role. Despite allowing a two-out single, the junior recorded the needed outs to register the win.

The Cadets finished the game with 11 runs on 13 hits. The 11 runs smashed Army's previous season high, while its 13 hits tied its season-best mark.

Rookie Giachin posted a career-high performance, going 4-for-5 on the day. He wasn't the only Cadet to muster multiple hits in the game as Hurtubise and Rosoff both closed out their games 3-for-4. Hurtubise added four runs and an RBI, while Rosoff chipped in one run and two RBI.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Hurtubise and Titus both drilled their first doubles of the year.
Rosoff and McKenna each converted on a sacrifice hit.
Titus and Simoes both stole a base in the game for their second and first of the season, respectively.
The Army pitching staff allowed three extra base hits, all doubles, in the game. Two of those three came in the second frame.
The Black Knights used three pitchers, while the Bulldogs sent out four.
Opp and Burggraaf each recorded two strikeouts.
The Black Knight pitchers compiled a season-high 16 strikeouts.
The Cadets did not issue any walks for the second time this season.
Houston registered his first career hit in the third inning to bring home two big Army runs.
Bryant turned the game's only double play.
Hurtubise has now tallied at least one hit in seven of Army's eight games, and is currently riding a six-game hitting streak.

FACTS & FIGURES

Army tallied 11 runs on 13 hits, while the Bulldogs finished with seven runs on 12 hits.
There were multiple errors in the game on both sides. The Black Knights posted three. Bryant earned two.
The Cadets stranded nine runners on base to just seven for the Bulldogs.

UP NEXT

Army next faces Niagara on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
Live stats will be available for the game.
The Purple Eagles dropped an 11-3 contest to Boston College on Friday to kick off their weekend down in North Carolina.