Baseball Slugs Its Way Past Holy Cross

Wednesday, April 20

Worcester, MA

5 PM

Army West Point

18-17, 11-4

Holy Cross

10-31, 5-10

Army

Holy Cross

Baseball Slugs Its Way Past Holy Cross

April 20, 2022 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

WORCESTER, Mass. – For the second-consecutive game, the Army West Point baseball team scored 15 runs as the program cruised to a 15-3 victory over Holy Cross on Wednesday evening at Fitton Field.

Nine different Black Knights (18-17, 11-4 PL) contributed to the team's 16-hit total, with both Kevin Dubrule and Sam Ruta recording a game-high three knocks apiece. Throughout the 2022 season, Army has racked up 13 games with 10-plus hits and has scored double-digit runs seven times.

The Cadets scored in all but three innings while completing their regular-season meetings with the Crusaders (10-31, 5-10 PL). In early April, Army swept Holy Cross in a four-game series at home at Johnson Stadium while outscoring its visitors 39-10.

On the mound, six different arms appeared in what ended up being a staff day for the Black Knights. Mike Ruggieri got the starting nod, tossing the first 4.0 innings and allowing two earned runs on six hits while striking out four batters. Reliever Steven Graver, who was first out of the bullpen, was credited with the win to improve to 3-0 this year.

Army built its lead early and had already jumped out 13-2 by the end of the fifth inning. Ruta got the initial scoring started in the top of the first with a double that drove in both Dubrule and Macias, while Nick Manesis, Ross Friedrick, Braden Golinski, Cam Cerruto and Derek Berg were also credited with RBI during the spree.

Holy Cross scored in back-to-back innings, using an RBI single to get on the board in the third before a bases-loaded walk added another run in the fourth. Though the home team threatened to do further damage, Ruggieri stranded three Crusaders when he ended the frame.

Both sides put up zeros in the sixth, which saw reliever Trevor Finan face the minimum. After another scoreless inning for the Cadets, Holy Cross added an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh to reach its three-run total.

Following a few quiet innings, the Black Knights loaded up the bases in the top of the eighth and broke their scoreless streak when Friedrick drew an RBI walk. Blake Ledoux then sent in the final run of the night, as his groundout let Dubrule come home.

To go along with the excitement of Army improving to 5-0 against Holy Cross this season, the outing was also highlighted by Kevin Luke's first career hit and Justin Lehman striking out the side in his first collegiate pitching appearance.

If you didn't catch it on ESPN+…

Here's another look at freshman Justin Lehman putting in ????????. ???? #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/KZqnzETRNr
— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) April 21, 2022

What's Next
After nine-straight road games, the Black Knights will return to host Navy for a doubleheader on Saturday, April 23 and a single game on Sunday, April 24. Both days are scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch at Johnson Stadium. All of the action in the Star Series, presented by USAA, will be carried on ESPN+.

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.