Black Knights Split First Day of Tournament

Friday, March 4

TAMPA, FLA.

9 A.M.

Army West Point

2-7

UIC

2-9

UIC

Army

Black Knights Split First Day of Tournament

March 04, 2022 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

WEST POINT, N.Y. --- West Point Softball (2-8) opened the first day of the USF Tournament with a dominant win over University of Illinois Chicago (2-9), 5-0, but come up short later in the day with a 7-6 loss to Florida A&M (3-12).

GAME 1

Jolie Duong (2-2) picked up the two-hit shutout win for Army tossing five strikeouts in 7.0 innings pitched. Julianna LaRusso was stellar at the plate going 2-for-3 with four RBI. Madi Gilmore contributed three walks for the Black Knights scoring one run.

The two teams were silent in the first inning. Army went to work in the bottom of the second scoring three runs of three hits. Gilmore drew a leadoff walk to get things going for the Cadets. Ellie Caldwell and Grace Snyder each recorded a base hit to load the bases. LaRusso drove the runners in with a double to left center. Army finished the frame with a 3-0 lead over UIC.

The Black Knights' defense was quick in the top of the third, turning a double play to get the last two outs of the frame. Army's bats were still warm from the second inning as the team recorded two base hits in the first two at bats. Gilmore drew her second walk of the game to load the bases. Michaela Capicotto drew a walk for an RBI and kept the bases loaded. LaRusso closed the inning with a single to right to bring in one more run for Army. The Cadets finished with two runs off three hits.

The teams were scoreless for the rest of the game and Army claimed its first shutout victory of the season.

GAME 2

Army had a trouble keeping up with Florida A&M's offense allowing the Rattlesnakes to score two runs of one hit and one error in the bottom of the second. Caldwell got the bats going in the top of the third with a leadoff single. A few batters later, Angelina Bebek hit a double down the left field line to bring in a runner to cut the Rattlesnakes' lead to 2-1. Florida A&M scored three runs off two hits in the bottom half of the inning to lead 5-1 over Army.

In the top of the fifth Army took advantage of an error to get a runner on base. Brook Mitchell followed with a single. Snyder took advantage of errors and made her way home, 5-2. The Rattlesnakes pushed two more runs in the fifth inning to lead 7-2 over Army.

Army had a great fourth inning, scoring four runs off three hits and two errors. Edwards opened the frame by taking advantage of an error to get on first base. LaRusso warmed up the bats with a double to but Edwards in scoring position. Duong drew a walk, and the bases were loaded with no outs. Edwards crossed home plate off a fielder's choice.

Snyder was able to keep the momentum going for Army by bringing in another runner off a sac bunt. Army recorded one more run to finish the inning down one to Florida A&M, 7-6.

Army was unable to complete the comeback in the seventh inning falling 7-6 to the Rattlesnakes.

Inside the Box Score

LaRusso recorded two doubles.
Duong picked up her first shutout of the season.

Up Next
Army takes on Florida A&M and USF on the second day of the tournament on Saturday, March 5.

Follow Along
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