Baseball Picks Up 15-5 Win Over Siena in Home Opener

Wednesday, March 23

West Point, NY

3 PM

Army West Point

5-13

Siena

2-16

Siena

Army

Baseball Picks Up 15-5 Win Over Siena in Home Opener

March 23, 2022 | Baseball

Box Score Gallery Photo Gallery

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Behind a season-high 15 hits, the Army West Point baseball team powered its way to a 15-5 victory over Siena on Wednesday afternoon at Johnson Stadium.

Eleven different players reached base for the Black Knights (5-13), who recorded a season-high in stolen bases with eight. The Saints (2-16) also racked up double-digit hits (11), but were hindered by the six different errors they made throughout the game.

Army's offensive effort was led by Derek Berg, who finished 4-for-4 with four RBI. Berg was one of four Cadets with multi-hit games, as Hunter Meade (three), Nick Manesis (three) and Braden Golinski (two) also achieved the feat.

Steven Graver (2-0) picked up the win in relief, tossing 4.0 innings after entering at the start of the fourth. The right-hander scattered seven hits, struck out two batters and issued just one walk in his four-run outing. Starting pitcher Mike Ruggieri accounted for Siena's other run, which he allowed during his 3.0 innings on the mound.

The Black Knights controlled the entirety of the game, taking a 7-0 lead in the opening two frames and never looking back. Army's early scoring spree was highlighted by a pair of RBI singles from Carter Macias and Manesis. The splurge was also attributed to Siena's struggles with miscues, as the team committed three.

Though the visiting team used a sac fly to plate a runner in the top of the third, Army put up eight unanswered runs over the next three innings to re-extend its lead. Most of the scoring happened in the bottom of the third, beginning with Ross Friedrick's bases-loaded walk. Berg and Manesis then cranked out back-to-back RBI singles before a fielding error and Hunter Meade's sac fly pushed the score to 13-1.

Berg and Golinski later boosted Army to its 15-run total with another pair of RBI singles.

After Graver held the Saints to three scoreless innings, Kobe Stenson's three-run homer and an RBI knock helped the team scratch four runs across in the top of the seventh, cutting the lead down to its final margin of 15-5.

Both Tyler Prichard and Trevor Finan pitched in the final two innings of the game, which saw Prichard retire the side in the eighth and Finan work around a leadoff single in the ninth.

Coach's Corner
"It was nice to get a lead from our starting pitcher. It gave us some breathing room to play baseball. We've been playing a lot of tight games and the guys have been working really hard. It was great to open it up and get some runs on the board. I thought we made some nice plays and a lot of guys contributed. I enjoyed seeing some different guys get in the game. People are starting to get more comfortable at the plate. When you play a midweek game, it helps you get ready for the weekend … We'll be ready to go." – Head Coach Jim Foster

Cadets' Corner

?? Go 4-for-4
?? Chip in four RBI
?? Celebrate a solid TEAM win

Derek Berg had a good day. ?? #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/YO4ykclLAM
— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) March 23, 2022

What's Next
Army will hit the road this weekend to open up Patriot League play with doubleheaders at Bucknell and Navy. The Black Knights will first take on the Bison at 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 before heading to Annapolis for a 2 p.m. first pitch on Sunday, March 27. The first game against the Mids will be on CBS Sports Network.

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.