Ninth Inning Push Lifts Army Past Elon

Sunday, March 20

Elon, NC

1 PM

Army West Point

4-13

Elon

11-8

Army

Elon

Ninth Inning Push Lifts Army Past Elon

March 20, 2022 | Baseball

Box Score

ELON, N.C. – Kevin Dubrule's bases-clearing double in the top of the ninth helped the Army West Point baseball team pick up a 6-5 victory over Elon on Sunday afternoon at Latham Park.

The win snapped a six-game losing streak for the Black Knights (4-13), who held off Elon (11-8) in the bottom of the ninth despite the tying run reaching third base for the Phoenix. Right-handed arm Matthew Ronnebaum was awarded his first career save and ended the game in thrilling fashion when he recorded the final out with a swinging strikeout.

Army's comeback was not its first of the day, as there were three lead changes throughout the series finale. The home team was the first to get ahead, claiming a 3-0 advantage through the opening four frames after scoring on back-to-back RBI groundouts and a solo home run.

Following four scoreless innings, the Cadets fired back in the top of the fifth when Derek Berg's first home run of the year sailed over the left field wall. In the following frame, Nick Manesis smacked a three-run homer to almost the same spot and drove in both Ross Friedrick and Kevin Dubrule, putting the team on top 4-3.

Both sides put up zeros in the seventh, which saw Sean Dennehy make his first appearance when he relieved starting arm Robbie Buecker. For the second-straight week, Buecker tossed a quality start, scattering four hits while allowing three runs and fanning three through 6.0 innings on the mound. The junior retired each of the final nine batters that he faced.

Though Dennehy was able to cruise through his first frame, he got into trouble in the bottom of the eighth when a pair of home runs regained the Phoenix' lead at 5-4.

Facing a deficit once again, Army took advantage of its final trip to the batter's box. After the first out was recorded, both Blake Ledoux, who was replaced by pinch-runner Bennett Smith, and Carter Macias reached on a pair of freebies. Elon responded by notching the second out, but was unable to keep the visiting team from scoring as Dubrule stepped up to the plate and roped the two-RBI double that boosted the Black Knights to their 6-5 advantage.

Ronnebaum, who picked up the Cadets' second save of the year, worked around a leadoff single and a sac bunt to preserve the victory. Dennehy was awarded the win, pushing him to 2-2 on the year.

Coach's Corner
"This was a good team win with many contributors. The guys have been putting in the work and the effort had been there, it just hasn't clicked yet so I am happy for them they figured out a way to get it done today. We have a lot of guys banged up right now, so we need to get healthy and get ready for the next segment of the season which is midweek games and most importantly conference play. I know the quality competition we have been playing has helped prepare us for these games." - Head Coach Jim Foster

What's Next
Army will return home to open up Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field with a midweek game against Siena on Wednesday, March 23. First pitch against the Saints is set for 3 p.m. and the contest will be carried on ESPN+. The game will be the team's last before opening up Patriot League play with a pair of doubleheaders at Bucknell (Saturday, March 26) and Navy (Sunday, March 27).

Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point Baseball, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_Baseball and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.