Army Sweeps Bucknell in Patriot League Opener

Saturday, March 24

Lewisburg, Pa.

12 p.m.

Army West Point

8-12, 0

Bucknell

4-15, 0

Army West Point

Bucknell

Army Sweeps Bucknell in Patriot League Opener

March 24, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Army West Point baseball team swept a doubleheader from Bucknell here Saturday afternoon in its Patriot League opener.

The 1-0 and 7-6 victories ended a four-game slide by the Black Knights and improved their overall record to 9-12.

Both games were nail-bitters as the opener was a pitcher's duel and the nightcap a hitter's delight.

In Game 1, starting pitcher Tyler Giovinco went 6.2 innings allowing just five hits. He worked his way out of a lead-off single in the fourth by forcing the Bison to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.

Bucknell kept the Black Knights hitless until Matt Hudgins broke up the no-hit bit with a lead-off single to center field in the top of the seventh. Two groundouts by Trey Martin and Anthony Giachin shifted pinch runner Rob Regine over to third. Josh White then singled down the left field line to score what ended up being the game's only run.

In the bottom of the seventh, Giovinco teamed up with Daniel Burggraaf to escape a one-out double and register the one-run win.

The nightcap was the complete opposite as both teams combined for 13 runs and 16 hits. The Bison scored their first run in the opening frame.

Army responded with two runs in the third to pull in front 2-1. During the inning, Anfernee Crompton converted on a sacrifice fly to score Giachin from third. Then two batters later Drake Titus grounded out for the second out of the frame, scoring White along the way.

Bucknell answered with two runs in the fourth inning to take back the edge but back-to-back singles by Crompton and Jacob Hurtubise in the fifth tied things up at 3-3.

The Black Knights again broke through in the sixth when they registered four big runs to break the game open at 7-3. During the frame, Matt Hudgins, Martin, Giachin, White and Titus all posted singles, including four-straight knocks.

The Bison made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh when they cut the lead to 7-6 after a three-run inning. Fortunately, junior Jacob Carte came in to stop the rally, notching the final two outs of the frame to keep the visitors in front.

The Charlotte, N.C., native then sat the next six batters down in order to tally his second save of the year.

Giovinco and Game 2 starter Matt Ball both finished with six strikeouts, while relief throwers Carte and Carter Van Gytenbeek notched two and one, respectively.

Van Gytenbeek was credited with the win in the nightcap after pitching 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and two runs.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Army recorded its second shutout of the year in Game 1.
White led the Black Knights on offense, closing the day 3-for-6 with two runs scored and two RBI.
Hudgins and Martin also posted two hits and one run each throughout the twin bill.
Crompton accounted for two runs, while earning two RBI on the day.
Titus registered a career-high four RBI in the nightcap.
Burggraaf notched his team-leading third save of the season in the opener.
Giachin and Hurtubise tallied a team-high two walks in the twin bill.
Hurtubise went 2-for-2 on the base path, handing him 12 stolen bases for the year.
Carte finished his 2.2 innings giving up just one walk.
Ball allowed two hits, three runs and five walks in his 4.1 innings on the mound in Game 2.
Army compiled four sacrifice hits and one sacrifice fly in the doubleheader.
The Black Knight pitching staff gave up four doubles on the day.
Both teams turned a double play in the games.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Black Knights registered eight runs on 12 hits, while Bucknell compiled six runs on 11 hits.
The Cadets posted three errors in the doubleheader to two for the home team.
Army stranded 12 runners on base. Bucknell left 17 on the day.

UP NEXT

The Black Knights have a quick turnaround as they hit the road for a neutral site doubleheader against service-academy rival Navy at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Md. on Sunday.
Game 1 is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. and will be carried live on CBS Sports Network.