Black Knights Defeat Siena 5-4 in 16-Inning Thriller

Wednesday, March 22

West Point, NY

3:00 PM

Army West Point

8-10

Siena College

2-18

Siena

Army West Point

Black Knights Defeat Siena 5-4 in 16-Inning Thriller

March 22, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

WEST POINT, N.Y. – In their home opener, the Army West Point baseball team (8-10, 0-0 PL) defeated the Siena College Saints (2-18, 0-0 MAAC) in a 16-inning thriller, the second longest game in program history (18-innings, May 18, 1968, vs. Dartmouth L, 3-2).

Army's pitching shined, striking out 16 batters.

How it Happened

With the bases loaded in the 16th inning, Justin Lehman was hit by a pitch, sending the game clinching run home, which was the deciding factor in the game as Army earned a walk-off 5-4 victory.

The Saints attacked Army starter Steven Graver (No Decision) getting on the board first by scoring off a ground out and an RBI single, making it a 2-0 game.

In the bottom of the second, the Black Knights threatened to score against Siena starter Alistair Morin (No Decision), after walking, Braden Golinski stole second, putting a runner in scoring position. Golinski advanced to third on a fly out. Siena got out of the inning with a ground out and a strikeout.

In the top of the third inning, Siena extended its lead to 3-0 with a solo home run by freshman Danny Barbero.

Pitching for both teams kept the score 3-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning. Senior Kevin Dubrule hit a single up the middle, putting runners on first and second. After relief pitcher Eddie Girtler walked Justin Lehman, loading the bases, Army scored after Ethan Ellis was hit by a pitch, sending Ross Friedrick in to score, making it a 3-1 game. The Black Knights made it a 3-2 game after Kevin Dubrule scored off a wild pitch.

In the bottom of the ninth Army tied everything up with Ross Friedrick sneaking an RBI single just past the second baseman, sending Derek Berg across the plate.

The Black Knights threatened Siena in the bottom of the tenth with runners on second and third with one out. The Saints got out of the inning fly out and getting a runner out at home.

Entering the 11th-inning, Siena re-took the lead with a solo home run by Vincenzo Castronovo, making it a 4-3 game. Army got a runner in scoring position after a balk by relief pitcher Tyler Tilton, advancing Chris Barr to second. Barr reached third after Derek Berg hit a single to left field. With one out, Friedrick hit an RBI single, sneaking it through the right side once again, sending the tying run home.

In the bottom of the 16th inning, the Black Knights bats came alive. Third baseman Sam Ruta hit a leadoff single up the middle, putting a runner on base. With one out, Kevin Dubrule hit a single to center field, advancing runners to second and third, putting runners in scoring position. Siena loaded the bases after intentionally walking Braden Golinski. Justin Lehman came up to bat. Lehman had a walk off hit by pitch, sending Sam Ruta in to score, giving Army its first lead of the game while also ending it.

Inside the Box

Army starter Steven Graver worked 2.1 innings, having 4 hits, 3 runs, striking out 2, and walked 1.
Ross Friedrick went 3-5, having 1 run, and 2 RBIs.
Relief pitcher Bryce Brownlee pitched 3.2 innings, allowing no runs or hits, while striking out three, and walked 2.
Junior Derek Berg batted 2-7 and had 1 run.
Sam Ruta went 2-6 and had 1 run.
Tyler Prichard (1-0) got the win 4.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, had no runs or walks, and struck out seven.
Justin Lehman went 1-4 and had an RBI.
Siena starter Alistair Morin worked 2.2 innings, allowing 2 hits, no runs, had a strikeout, and walked 1.
Siena's Sebastian Bentz (0-4) got the loss, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing 3 hits, 1 run, while striking out and walking two.

Up Next

The Black Knights will open conference play with a four-game series at Holy Cross, starting on Friday, March 24, at 5:00 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.