Scarlet Knights Rally Late For 5-1 Win Over Army

Friday, March 9

Fort Myers, Fla.

7 p.m.

Army West Point

6-5

Rutgers

6-6

Army

Rutgers

Scarlet Knights Rally Late For 5-1 Win Over Army

March 09, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Army West Point baseball team dropped a 5-1 decision to Rutgers here Friday night.

The Scarlet Knights scored three big runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to turn a 2-1 lead into a 5-1 advantage. Army was ultimately never able to recover.

The designated "home" team broke the scoreless deadlock in the bottom of the fifth after Kevin Blum singled up the middle to score Mike Nyisztor from third.

The Scarlet Knights added another run in the bottom of the seventh after a small two-out rally. Kevin Welsh started things off with a full-count walk before Luke Bowerbank doubled down the left field line to bring home the run.

The Cadets then cut the lead in half in the eighth when John McKenna brought home what would be Army's only run in the game. Drake Titus notched a one-out double to left center to place a runner in scoring position. After Rutgers recorded the second out of the inning, McKenna drilled a single up the middle to score Titus.

Unfortunately, the Scarlet Knights answered with three runs in the bottom frame on three hits to put the game out of reach.

Anthony Giachin led the Black Knights finishing 2-for-4 on the night. Five other Cadets tallied one hit each with McKenna accounting for Army's lone RBI.

Tyler Giovinco was tabbed with the loss after giving up two runs on six hits in 6.2 innings of work. The junior compiled a game-high five strikeouts during his time on the hill.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Titus registered his second career double in the eighth inning.
Tim Simoes earned Army's only sacrifice hit in the game.
Matt Gray came in for relief and allowed two runs on one hit and two walks in 0.1 innings.
Harry Flannery Jr., and Mike Gagliardi saw their first action of the season Friday night.
Flannery Jr. gave up one run on one hit and one walk.
Gagliardi closed out the final 1.0 inning allowing one hit.
The Scarlet Knights used two pitchers in the game.
John O'Reilly earned the win after giving up only one run in 7.2 innings of work. The senior was tabbed with seven hits and one walk, to go along with his five strikeouts.
Serafino Brito notched his first save of the year after he closed out the final 1.1 innings not allowing a hit. The junior fanned four during his time on the mound as well.
The Army pitching staff gave up just one extra-base hit in the game when Bowerbank recorded a double.

FACTS & FIGURES

Army finished with one run on seven hits, while Rutgers compiled five runs on nine hits.
Both teams registered an error in the game.
The Cadets left seven runners on base. Rutgers stranded six.

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