Baseball Defeats Charlotte in Thrilling 13-Inning 7-6 Win

Friday, February 24

Charlotte, NC

4:00 PM

Army West Point

3-1

Charlotte

3-3

Army

Charlotte

Baseball Defeats Charlotte in Thrilling 13-Inning 7-6 Win

February 24, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Army West Point baseball team (3-1, 0-0 PL) defeated the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (3-3, 0-0, C-USA) 7-6 in 13 innings in Game 1 Friday afternoon. Army's Ross Friedrick went 2-5, had 1 run, 2 RBIs and a home run.

How it Happened

With the game tied in the 13th inning, Ross Friedrick hit a two-run home run, which was the deciding factor in the game as the Black Knights held onto the 7-6 victory.

After two scoreless innings, Army got on the board with a 2-run home run by Ruta, sending Derek Berg across the plate in the top of the third attacking Charlotte's starter Wyatt Hudepohl.

In the bottom of the third inning, the 49ers scored off a wild pitch, sending Jack Dragum home and JD Suarez advancing to second. Charlotte tied the game 2-2 with Austin Knight hitting a double down the left field line, sending Dragum across the plate. The 49ers took their first lead of the day with a single by Kaden Hopson, with Knight scoring. Charlotte took a two-run lead with Hopson scoring off an Army fielding error.

The Black Knights and the 49ers were scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings.

After coming on in relief in the bottom of the fifth, Robbie Buecker retiring the side keeping it a 4-2 game.

In the top of the seventh inning, Army's bats came alive. Junior Kevin Dubrule hit an RBI single advancing Berg to score, making it a 4-3 game. The Black Knights cleared the side keeping it a one-run game.

Army tied everything up in the eighth inning, after Chris Barr scored on a groundout by Berg. Patrick Melampy went into relieve Robbie Buecker in the bottom of the eighth, retiring the side and leaving two Charlotte runners on base.

The Black Knights went into extra innings after both teams cleared the side in the ninth inning.

Entering the tenth inning, Army scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by Berg sending Chris Barr home to score. However, in the bottom of the tenth, the 49ers tied everything up making it a 5-5 game with a solo home run by Kaden Hopson.

The Black Knights and 49ers continued to play in extra innings after a scoreless 11th inning.

Army entered the 13th inning after remaining scoreless in the 12th inning. The Black Knights took a 2-run lead after senior Ross Friedrick hit a two-run home run to left field, making it a 7-5 game, giving the Black Knights it's first lead of the night. In the bottom of the inning, Charlotte responded with a single by Brandon Stahlman, bringing Black Jackson into score.

Black Knights starter Tanner Gresham (No Decision) worked 4.0 innings, giving up 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned runs, 3 strikeouts, and 1 walks.

Army's Joe Valchar (1-0) got the win, going 2.0 innings, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, 2 strikeouts and, 1 walk.

Charlotte's Wyatt Hudepohl went 6.0 innings, giving up 7 hits, 2 earned runs, 6 strikeouts, and no walks.

49ers Andrew Spolyar (0-1) worked 4.0 innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 runs, had 8 strikeouts and, no walks.

Inside the Box

Senior Ross Friedrick went 2-5, had 1 run, 2 RBIs and, a home run.
Sam Ruta went 2-6, with 2 runs, 2RBI, a double and, a home run.
Junior Derek Berg went 2-5 and had 2 RBIs, 2 runs, and 1 double.
Patrick Melampy worked 4.0 innings, had 2 hits, 1 run, 2 strikeouts and, no walks.
Charlotte broke a program record with 20 strikeouts a single game in.

Up Next

The Black Knights and the 49ers return to action for Game 2 on Saturday, February 25 at 2 p.m.

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.