All-Around Strong Performance Leads to DH Sweep

Saturday, April 7

Bethlehem, Pa.

12 p.m.

Army West Point

14-14, 6-2

Lehigh

11-16, 1-6

Army West Point

Lehigh

All-Around Strong Performance Leads to DH Sweep

April 07, 2018 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Army West Point baseball team registered consecutive wins here Saturday to earn a doubleheader sweep against Lehigh.

The two victories shifted the Black Knights to 7-2 in the Patriot League, while the Mountain Hawks dropped to 1-7.

In Game 1, the Cadets posted season highs in runs, runs batted in and doubles with 14, 13 and five, respectively. Army also drilled 14 hits, which was its second-most this season.

The Black Knights exploded for four big runs in the opening frame after notching five hits, including three-straight singles to begin the game. Trey Martin and Anthony Giachin registered back-to-back doubles during the inning as well for their fifth and second of the year, respectively.

The following inning Drake Titus hit a one-out double to place a runner in scoring position. Two batters later Giachin singled to bring him home, extending the Army advantage to 5-0.

The Black Knights continued to add on in the fifth with an additional two runs after Titus and Jon Rosoff recorded an RBI. The Cadets then finally closed out their scoring in the seventh and final frame when they tallied seven runs on three hits and four walks.

Starting pitcher Tyler Giovinco was beyond impressive, going the distance allowing just four hits and one walk in seven complete innings. The junior earned a game-high five strikeouts as well in his first and Army's third overall shutout of the year.

In the nightcap, the Black Knights jumped in front early with a run in the first and third inning to create a 2-0 gap between the teams.

Drake Titus started a small one-out rally in the opening frame after he walked and stole second. During the ensuing at bat, Rosoff singled to left field to score the sophomore for the game's first run. Then in third inning Giachin and Martin combined to tally a one-out walk and double, respectively, to hand Army the two-run lead.

The Cadets tacked on three additional runs in the fifth after Josh White, Matt Hudgins and Jacob Hurtubise each posted singles.

The Mountain Hawks finally got on the board in the fifth when they found a gap in right center for a triple. That hit scored Chris Kersey, who was hit by a pitch two batter prior.

The home side would continue to chip away at the deficit, posting a run in the seventh and ninth inning. Fortunately for Army, Cam Opp came in to register the final two outs of the game with the tying runs on the corners to secure the win.

Opp earned his first save of the year, while starting pitcher Matt Ball shifted to 3-1 with the victory.

For the twin bill, Rosoff led Army's offensive output finishing 6-for-8 on the day with a team-best four RBI. The senior captain also tallied two runs to go along with his two walks.

Hurtubise and Titus added five and four hits, respectively. Hurtubise accounted for three runs, while Titus touched home plate a team-high five times. Both sophomores notched one RBI and one double each.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Nine of the 11 cadet-athletes to take an at bat during the twin bill recorded at least one hit. Eight of those nine posted multiple hits.
Rosoff went 3-for-3 in the opener, while Hurtubise and Titus both added three hits each in that contest as well.
Giachin tallied a career-best three RBI in Game 1, while Rosoff posted a season-best three RBI.
Hurtubise went 1-for-1 on stolen bases in the doubleheader, handing him 23 on the year. The Zionsville, Ind., native led the country in that category heading into the weekend.
The Black Knights posted seven doubles on the day, while Lehigh earned three extra base hits (two doubles and one triple).
Army turned a double play in each game.
Ball pitched 6.1 innings in Game 2, allowing nine hits and two runs, one of which was earned. The senior fanned seven during his time on the mound as well.
Carter Van Gytenbeek also saw time on the hill, giving up one hit and one run in his 2.0 innings.
The Army pitching staff compiled 13 strikeouts on the day, to nine for the home side.
The Cadets used four pitchers on the day, while Lehigh sent out 10.
Titus swiped two bases in the games to increase his season total to eight.
After allowing a lead-off single to start Game 1, Giovinco rebounded to sit 12 of the next 13 batters down in order, allowing just a one-out walk in the bottom of the third.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Black Knights outscored Lehigh 19-3 in the twin bill and held the 27-14 edge on hits.
Army was tagged with the only error on the day in the seventh inning of Game 2.
The Cadets left 24 runners on base, while the Mountain Hawks stranded 12.

UP NEXT

These two teams will close out their three-game series on Sunday.
First pitch is slated for noon and will be carried live on the Patriot League Network.