Bats Fall Short Against Bucknell in Doubleheader

Saturday, March 31

West Point, N.Y.

12 p.m.

Army West Point

12-13, 0

Bucknell

6-18, 0

Bucknell

Army West Point

Bats Fall Short Against Bucknell in Doubleheader

March 31, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point baseball team dropped a doubleheader to Bucknell here Saturday afternoon.

The Bison registered 4-1 (7 innings) and 5-1 victories to pull the overall season series even at 2-2. The Black Knights swept the teams first doubleheader last weekend in Lewisburg, Pa. Sunday's single game will now determine the winner of the regular season series.

In the opener, Army led for much of the game after scoring its lone run in the first inning following an RBI groundout by Jon Rosoff. The pitchers then took over with Tyler Giovinco on the hill for the Cadets and Preseason Patriot League Pitcher of the Year, Connor Van Hoose, on the mound for the Bison.

During his 5.1 innings on the mound, Giovinco allowed just three hits, two walks and one run, while striking out five. Van Hoose was just as solid for the visitors, giving up only one hit, four walks and one run in 6.0 innings of work. The senior fanned a career-high 14 batters while on the hill as well.

The Bison rallied in the game to register the come-from-behind victory after posting four runs on three hits and one error in the sixth inning. The Black Knights were ultimately never able to recover in the final inning-and-a-half.

In the second game, the Bison broke the scoreless deadlock with three runs in the third inning. Bucknell registered just one hit but drew five walks during the frame, which brought home two of those three runs.

Army cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fourth when Trey Martin scored John McKenna from third following a sacrifice fly.

It remained a two-run ballgame until the Bison tacked on what would be two more insurance runs in the ninth.

The Black Knights struggled all day with runners in scoring position. The biggest difference was that Army finished the doubleheader 1-for-5 with a runner on third and one out.

Cam Opp was tabbed with the loss in Game 1, while Sam Messina earned the loss in the nightcap. Opp allowed two hits, three runs and one walk during his 1.1 innings of relief work, while Messina finished 5.1 innings giving up three hits, three runs and five walks.

Messina did manage to strike out a season-best nine batters, including fanning the first six batters he faced.

Anthony Giachin tallied two hits on the day, making him the lone cadet-athlete with multiple hits in the twin bill.

Jacob Hurtubise had a personal highlight in the opener when he finished 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts. That mark set a new Academy record and tied him with Brian Sullivan's 27-year old Patriot League record as well.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

The Black Knights finished with two extra base hits and they both came in the nightcap.
The Cadets' pitching staff allowed three extra base hits, including a home run in the opener.
Carter Van Gytenbeek allowed five hits, one walk and two runs in 3.2 innings of relief work in Game 2.
Van Gytenbeek and Messina combined to strikeout 13 batters during the nine-inning game.
Hurtubise is now 21-for-22 on stolen base attempts. He is 10 shy of tying Miguel Gastellum's season record.
Matt Hudgins drew a team-high four walks in the doubleheader.
Army registered two double plays on the day to just one for the Bison.
Hudgins currently leads the team with six doubles on the year, after tallying one in the second game.
Martin recorded a double in the game as well and has compiled three so far this season.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Black Knights earned just two runs in the twin bill on seven hits. Bucknell finished with nine runs on 13 hits.
Each team posted one error on the day.
Army stranded 13 runners on base, while Bucknell left 12.

UP NEXT

These two teams will play one last time on Sunday in the rubber match of the series.
First pitch is slated for noon and will be carried live on the Patriot League Network with Rich DeMarco on the call.