Army One Step Closer to a Repeat

Friday, May 17

Annapolis, Md.

7 p.m.

Army West Point

33-23

Navy (Championship)

38-16

Army West Point

NAVY

Army One Step Closer to a Repeat

May 18, 2019 | Baseball

Box Score

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Army West Point baseball team jumped on its rival here early Friday night and never really looked back in a 6-2 victory over Navy.

With the win, the Cadets inched one step closer to earning back-to-back Patriot League titles. Senior Tyler Giovinco will take the mound for Army in Game 2 of this three-game series on Saturday. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. at Max Bishop Stadium.

The Black Knights scored five of their six runs in the opening two innings. Army tagged the current NCAA season strikeout leader for six hits during that stretch as well. Navy's Noah Song had only allowed five or more hits in three of his 13 outings heading into Friday's contest. The senior had also not relinquished any runs over his last 28.2 innings.

Anthony Giachin, Jacob Hurtubise and Tim Simoes led the Black Knights' offense finishing with two hits each. Giachin also registered an impressive five runs batted in, while Hurtubise and Andre Walden both crossed home plate a team-high two times. With his two runs scored Hurtubise became Army's single-season runs leader, surpassing Bryan Price's 1997 mark of 65.

Sam Messina recorded his seventh win of the year after going 6.0 innings allowing just two hits and two runs, one of which was earned. The senior righty fanned five during his time on the hill as well.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

Army is now just one win away from its second-straight appearance in the NCAA tournament.
The Black Knights have posted back-to-back Patriot League titles on two different occasions throughout their history (2012 & 2013; 2004 & 2005)
The Cadets finished with two doubles in the contest to hit 100 on the season. This marked the first time the Black Knights achieved this feat since 2009 when they earned a program-leading 117.
Jeremiah Adams earned the only other RBI for Army after he tallied a bases loaded walk in the ninth.
Hurtubise and Walden both added to their season stolen base mark in Friday's game.
Hurtubise is one steal away from tying his single-season program record of 42, which he achieved last season.
Ray Bartoli and Harry Flannery Jr. both saw action for the Black Knights on the hill.
Both pitchers registered clean sheets with Bartoli going 2.0 innings and Flannery Jr., the final frame.
Army's pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts throughout the contest and just one extra base hit.
After allowing a single to the second batter in the bottom of the first, Messina did now allow another hit until there were two outs in the bottom of the sixth.

How It Happened

The Black Knights jumped out to an early 2-0 edge after registering three-straight hits to leadoff the game. Giachin brought home both of those runs thanks to a two-RBI single to right center.
The Mids then loaded the bases in the bottom half but were only able to bring home one run following a sacrifice fly.
The Cadets continued their strong start to the game with another three runs in the top of the second. Army found itself with the bases loaded and two outs when Giachin stepped into the batter's box. The sophomore then drilled a double down the right field line to clear the bases and extend the Cadets advantage to 5-1.
Navy would again cut into the deficit in the third when it plated one run after loading the bases with no outs. Messina would force the Mids to hit into a double play though to earn two of the outs during the frame but not before a run would score to make it a 5-2 ballgame.
Army then locked things down over the next six frames to ultimately secure the win.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Black Knights registered six runs on nine hits, while Navy posted two runs on two hits.
Both teams were credited with an error in the contest with the Cadets being tagged for two and the Mids one.
Army left 10 runners on base. Navy stranded six.

UP NEXT

These two teams will play again Saturday in Game 2 of their three-game series.
The Black Knights need one more win to advance to the NCAA tournament, while the Mids need a win in Game 2 to force a decisive final game.
The second contest of the series will kick off at 2 p.m. at Navy's Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium.
Live stats and video will be available at the start.