Army Extends Winning Streak to Eight Straight

Saturday, April 14

Easton, Pa.

12 p.m.

Army West Point

19-14, 9-2

Lafayette

12-22, 2-9

Army West Point

Lafayette

Army Extends Winning Streak to Eight Straight

April 14, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

EASTON, Pa. - The Army West Point baseball team swept Lafayette here Saturday afternoon in a Patriot League doubleheader.

Army trailed early in both games but rebounded for a 10-5 victory in the opener and a 13-2 win in the nightcap.

The Black Knights improved their winning streak to eight-straight games and are now 10-2 in Patriot League play. The Leopards dipped to 2-10 in the conference.

On the day, the Cadets combined for 23 runs on 22 hits, while also registering 21 runs batted in. Lafayette accumulated just seven runs on 12 hits to go along with its seven RBI.

In Game 1, Lafayette broke the scoreless deadlock in the second inning after bringing home the game's first run following two hits.

The Black Knights responded in the fourth with a big inning to pull in front 5-1. Back-to-back singles by Drake Titus and Jon Rosoff placed runners on first and second. After the Leopards notched the first out of the frame, rookie Anthony Giachin drilled his second career triple to bring home both runners. The Cadets continued their offensive push earning consecutive walks to load the bases. After a Lafayette pitching change, Josh White doubled to right center to score two more runs. Anfernee Crompton then converted on a sacrifice bunt to bring home Army's final run of the frame.

The Leopards notched one run back in the bottom half before scoring two more in the fifth to pull within 5-4.

The Cadets had an answer in the six though with another solid five-run, four hit frame to create a 10-4 gap between the teams. Matt Hudgins, Crompton, Titus, and Rosoff each tallied hits in the inning, while Hudgins registered his team-leading seventh double of the year.

The Leopards tallied one final run in the bottom of the sixth following a leadoff home run by Jake Sniegocki but that would be all the home side would be able to muster.

Starting pitcher Tyler Giovinco shifted to 5-3 on the season after pitching 5.0 innings allowing six hits and four runs. The junior fanned four while out on the hill as well.

In the nightcap, Lafayette again took the early lead after Steven Cohen recorded a two-out, two-run home run to right field.

The Black Knights responded with two runs in the second and third inning to jump in front 4-2. Giachin (x2), White, Crompton, and Titus each registered a hit during that stretch.

Army then broke the game open with four runs in the fifth to increase its advantage to 8-2. A highlight of the inning was John McKenna's three-run shot over the center field fence. That long ball was the sophomore first career dinger and just Army's second of the year.

Five additional combined runs in the seventh and eighth frame ultimately put the game out of reach.

Matt Ball earned the win in the second game after going 6.0 solid innings giving up four hits and two runs. The senior struck out a game-high seven during his time on the mound, marking the fifth time this season he earned seven or more.

Rosoff led the Black Knights on offense throughout the twin bill, finishing 5-for-8 with three RBI and four runs. White and Titus added four hits each, while McKenna compiled a team-best five RBI.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

For the day, six cadet-athletes recorded multiple hits, including five with three or more.
Army posted seven extra base hits in the doubleheader, while Lafayette earned four.
Both teams turned one double play in the twin bill.
White and Hudgins swiped the Cadets only bases on the day and they both came during the second game.
The Black Knights converted on three sacrifice fly balls and one sacrifice hit.
Army's pitching staff combined for 15 strikeouts to just seven for the home side.
Cam Opp allowed only a walk in 2.0 innings on the mound in Game 2.
Logan Smith, who had been sidelined this season due to recovering from Tommy John surgery, pitched in his first game of the year. The sophomore gave up just one walk during his one inning on the hill in the nightcap.
Jacob Carte saw action in relief in the opener. The junior allowed two hits and one run during his 2.0 innings.

FACTS & FIGURES

Army finished with 23 runs on 22 hits, while Lafayette tallied seven runs on 12 hits.
Both teams earned multiple errors on the day with the Black Knights notching three and the Leopards seven.
The Cadets left nine runners on base, while the home side stranded 17.

UP NEXT

These two teams will play the weekend finale on Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m.
The game will be carried live on the Patriot League Network.