Army Falls to Duke in Marathon Game

Saturday, February 15

Durham, N.C.

1 p.m.

Army West Point

1-1

Duke

1-1

Army

Duke

Army Falls to Duke in Marathon Game

February 15, 2020 | Baseball

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – The Army West Point baseball team was defeated for the first time this season in a 9-8 marathon against #15 Duke at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The Black Knights got off to a hot start in this one, jumping out to a 7-1 lead after four innings.

The Duke comeback began in the sixth, when after three walks loaded the bases, cleanup hitter Matt Mervis hit a grand slam to right to cut the Army lead to 7-5. The Blue Devils were able to tie the game an inning later, scoring on a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch to even the game at 7-7.

Army pulled back ahead in the top of the eighth, when with two outs, Carter Macias smashed a double one-hop off the left center field fence. Tim Simoes came around to score from first base to give Army an 8-7 lead.

The lead would not hold, however, as Duke was able to claw back with two runs in the bottom half of the ninth to win the game 9-8.

Starting pitcher Anthony LoRicco was solid in the game for the Black Knights, going four innings and allowing just one run with six strikeouts. Macias had a big day at the plate, going 2-3 with 3 runs batted in and two walks. Cameron Cerruto went 3-4 with an RBI on the day. The Cadets scored five of their eight runs with two outs.

The two teams will meet in the final game of the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

HIGHLIGHTS AND NOTES:

The Black Knights fought their way on base early in this one, with Hurtubise leading off the game with a hit by pitch and Carter Macias and Anthony Giachin following with walks. Hurtubise came around to score on a double play later in the inning.
LoRicco ran into trouble in the bottom half, walking two batters and giving up a game tying double. The sophomore fought out of it, retiring the next two batters with runners on second and third.
John McKenna led off the second inning with a fly ball to left that was dropped by Duke left fielder Rudy Maxwell. After a walk and a fielder's choice, the Cadets were set up with runners on second and third.
Carter Macias came through with two outs, grounding a single up the middle to score McKenna and Tim Simoes.
Army added another two in the third, after Andre Walden reached on an error and stole second. Cameron Cerruto singled and advanced to second to set Army up with runners in scoring position. Jeremiah Adams brought the run home by reaching on a fielder's choice and Tim Simoes followed with a two-out single to bring home the second run of the inning and extend Army's lead to 5-1.
Hurtubise singled and Macias walked to lead off the fourth. After a wild pitch moved them into scoring position, Giachin tacked on another run with a sac fly. Army then added their seventh run on a two-out single by Cerruto.
Anthony LoRicco exited in the fifth after allowing one run on three hits with six strikeouts. Freshman Joe Garcia entered with a runner on second and quickly set Duke down to end the inning.
Garcia ran in to trouble in the fifth and Duke took advantage. Cleanup hitter Matt Mervis belted a grand slam to right to cut the Army lead to 7-5. Patrick Melampy came on in relief to get the final out of the inning.
Duke fought back to tie it in the seventh. With the bases loaded and two outs, Will Hart got Mervis to fly out to right to limit the damage.
In the eighth, Carter Macias broke the tie, delivering a big RBI double off the wall in left center field. Tim Simoes scored to give the Cadets an 8-7 lead.
Robbie Buecker entered with the tying run on second in the eight. After walking the first batter, the freshman sent Grant Norris down swinging to end the threat.
In the ninth, Duke completed their comeback, scoring two runs on a sacrifice fly and an error to win the game 9-8.