Black Knights Sweep Holy Cross in Doubleheader to Win Series

Sunday, March 26

Worcester, MA

1:00 PM

Army West Point

10-11, 2-1

Holy Cross

7-16, 1-2

Army

Holy Cross

Black Knights Sweep Holy Cross in Doubleheader to Win Series

March 26, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

WORCESTER, MASS. – The Army West Point baseball team (11-11, 3-1 PL) defeated the Holy Cross Crusader (7-17, 1-3, PL) 10-0 in Game 1 of Sunday afternoon's doubleheader. Army's Sam Ruta had a three-run home run and 4 RBIs.

In Game 2, the Black Knights defeated the Crusaders 13-2 in seven innings, securing the series win. Senior Ross Friedrick went 4-5, having three runs, three RBIs, and a two-run home run.

How it Happened

GAME 1 (Army Wins 10-0, 7 innings)

After two scoreless innings, the Army bats came out swinging in the top of the third. With two outs, Ethan Ellis hit a double to right field, putting a runner in scoring position. Junior Derek Berg ripped an RBI double to left field, sending Ellis in to score.

At the bottom of the third Holy Cross got out in order.

In the top of the fifth inning, Oliver Brown came pitched relief for Fox.

Coleson Titus came into pinch hit for Justin Lehman.

In the inning, the bats came alive for the Black Knights, attacking Holy Cross starter Luke Fox. With a runner on first, Bret. Copeland hit a sacrifice bunt advancing Titus to second. Ethan Ellis followed, with a single through the left side, sending Titus in to score, making it a 2-0 game. Army extended its lead with Derek Berg hitting an RBI single, sending Ellis to second. Junior Sam Ruta blasted a 3-run home run extending the Black Knights' lead to 5-0.

Ruta with the 3-run blast?? ??

?? https://t.co/R5euSR6xe7 #GoArmy @espn @PatriotLeagueTV pic.twitter.com/TSJ0LzzDja
— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) March 26, 2023

With one out, Kevin Dubrule ripped a double down the left field line, putting a runner in scoring position.

What a hit! ?? ??

?? https://t.co/R5euSR6xe7 #GoArmy @espn @PatriotLeagueTV pic.twitter.com/OHqeAymYR6
— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) March 26, 2023

After advancing on a passed ball, Dubrule advanced to third.

Dubrule scored off a passed ball, adding to Army's lead to 6-0. The Black Knights added two more runs after Braden Golinski stole home and Titus hit a single to left field, making it an 8-0 game. Holly Cross got out of the inning with a foul out to first base.

The Crusaders threatened Army in the bottom of the fifth. Chris Baillargeon hit a single with one out. Holly Cross advanced the runner to second after Jack Jaszcz grounded out to Bret Copeland. The Black Knights ended the inning with a strikeout.

In the top of the sixth, Derek Berg ripped a double to left field putting a runner in scoring position. Berg reached third off a wild pitch by Holy Cross relief pitcher Jack Ambrosino. The Black Knights extended their lead after Sam Ruta grounded out, sending Berg across the plate.

Holy Cross threatened Army starter Mike Ruggieri in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, the Crusaders loaded the bases. The Black Knights got out of the inning with a double play.

Bret Copeland!!! ?? ??

?? https://t.co/R5euSR6xe7 #GoArmy @espn @PatriotLeagueTV @NCAABaseball #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/2dfARs0OQj
— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) March 26, 2023

The Black Knights continued to attack Holy Cross in the top of the seventh inning. Braden Golinski hit a leadoff single to center field. Golinski advanced to second off a passed ball. With one out, Coleson Titus ripped a single through the left side, advancing Golinski to third. Army's Bret Copeland reached on a fielder's choice, Titus got out at third, and Golinski came into score. The Crusaders got out of the inning with a flyout.

Bryce Brownlee came in to pitch relief for Mike Ruggieri.

In the bottom of the seventh, Holy Cross threatened to get on the board. Baillargeon hit a double to left field, putting a runner in scoring position.

Jordan Petrushka came in to pinch-hit for Jaszcz.

Petrushka hit a fly ball, advancing Baillargeon to third. The Black Knights ended the game with a pop-up and a ground out.

Game 2 (Army wins 13-2, 7 innings)

In the top of the first inning, the Black Knights attacked Holy Cross starter, Tyler Mudd. After walking Derek Berg, Berg advanced to second off a passed ball. Mudd walked Ruta, putting two runners on base for Army. With a ground out, Ruta and Berg advanced to second and third, putting two runners in scoring position. Senior Kevin Dubrule hit a 2 RBI single up the middle, sending both Berg and Ruta in to score, making it a 2-0 game.

Holy Cross responded in the bottom of the second. Connor Cooney reached first after hitting a single to second. With a walk, Holy Cross had runners on at first and second. Chris Baillargeon ripped a single up the middle, bringing Cooney in to score, making it a 2-1 game. The Crusaders tied the ballgame up after Jake McElroy hit an RBI single, sending Sean Scanlon across the plate, making it a 2-2 game. Army starter Robbie Buecker got out of the inning with two strikeouts.

The bats for the Black Knights came alive in the top of the third inning. Berg started the inning off with a single up the middle, putting a runner on base. Ruta reached first by a fielding error by Sean Scanlon. Ross Friedrick gave Army the lead after ripping an RBI single through the left side, advancing Ruta to second base and sending Berg in to score, making it a 3-2 game. Kevin Dubrule hit a sacrifice bunt, with runners advancing to second and third. After Mudd walked Braden Golinski, sophomore Coleson Titus ripped a single down the left field line, sending Friedrick and Ruta across the plate, giving the Black Knights a 5-2 lead. Holy Cross cleared the side with a double play.

In the bottom of the third inning, Holly Cross' Jack Toomey hit a leadoff single to left field. Army got out of the inning with two strikeouts.

With one out in the top of the fourth, Derek Berg ripped a double to left center with two outs. Holy Cross retired the side with a groundout.

Derek Berg!!! ????

?? https://t.co/SrSo53Yub2 #GoArmy @espn @PatriotLeagueTV pic.twitter.com/nwHWQ4C6Xe
— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) March 26, 2023

Relief pitcher Jaden Wywoda came into relief for Mudd.

Senior Ross Friedrick continued to attack the plate. Friedrick hit a single up the middle, putting a runner on base. Dubrule hit a single to center field and advanced to second on the throw, putting two runners in scoring position. With one out, Coleson Titus hit an RBI groundout, sending Friedrick across the plate, making it a 6-2 Army lead. The Black Knights further extended their lead with Ethan Ellis hitting a single to the shortstop, sending Dubrule in to score. Holy Cross retired the side with a strikeout.

Freshman Addison Ainsworth struck out but reached first, and reached second on a wild pitch. Berg ripped an RBI single to center field, advancing Ainsworth across the plate, making it an 8-2 game. Holy Cross pitcher Jake McOsker. Berg stole second and third, putting a runner in scoring position. Sam Ruta struck out swinging but reached first on a passed ball, Berg scored, giving Army a seven-run lead.

Holy Cross relief pitcher Jake Needham came in for McOsker.

Ross Friedrick further extended the Black Knights lead after hitting a two-run home run, making it an 11-2 game.

Ross Friedrick goes yard!!! ?? ??

?? https://t.co/SrSo53Yub2 #GoArmy @espn @PatriotLeagueTV @NCAABaseball pic.twitter.com/QOseblrXn5
— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) March 26, 2023

Coleson Titus walked with two outs. Titus advanced to second off a wild pitch. The Crusaders cleared the side with a flyout.

With two outs, Sean Dennehy came into relief for Robbie Buecker. Dennehy retired the side with a strikeout.

Chris Barr pinched hit for Bret Copeland.

In the bottom of the seventh, Barr ripped a single to center field, putting a runner on first. Barr reached second off a ground out. With two outs, Sam Ruta struck out, but reached first on a passed ball, sending Barr across the plate, making it a 12-2 game. Friedrick hit a single through the right side, putting runners on the corners. Holy Cross loaded the bases after Dubrule was hit by a pitch. Army extended its lead 13-2 after Braden Golinski walked, sending Ruta in to score. Needham retired the side with a strikeout.

The Crusaders put a runner on base after the leadoff batter walked. Connor Peek singled to left field, and Jack Jaszcz got out at second. After Peed advanced to second, Holy Cross had a runner of first and second. Army ended the inning with a strikeout.

Inside the Box

Game 1

Army starter Mike Ruggieri (4-1) got the win, working 6.0 innings, allowing 2 hits, and no runs, while striking out 5 and walking 5.
Derek Berg went 3-5, having 2, runs, an RBI, and 2 doubles.
Sam Ruta had a run, 4 RBIs, and a home run.
Coleson Titus batted 2-2, having a run and an RBI.
Kevin Dubrule went 2-4, having a double and a run.
Bryce Brownlee pitched 1.0 inning, having 1 hit.
Holy Cross starter Luke Fox (1-2) got the loss, working 4.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, and 1 run, while striking out 3, and having no walks.
Relief pitcher Oliver Brown worked 1.0 inning, allowing 5 hits, 7 runs, 5 earned runs, had no strikeouts, and walked 2.

Game 2

Army starter Robbie Buecker (2-2) got the win, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing 5 hits, and 2 runs, while striking out 6, and walking 3.
Senior Ross Friedrick went 4-5, having 3 runs, 3 RBIs, and a home run.
Derek Berg went 3-4, having 3 runs, an RBI, a double, and 2 stolen bases.
Senior Kevin Dubrule batted 2-3, having a run and 2 RBIs.
Sam Ruta had 4 runs.
Relief pitcher Sean Dennehy went 1.1 inning, having 1 hit, no runs, striking out 2, and walking 2.
Holy Cross starter Luke Mudd (0-2) got the loss, worked 3.0 innings, allowing 4 hits, 5 runs, 4 earned runs, struck out 1, and walked 3.
Relief pitcher Jaden Wywoda pitched 2.0 innings, allowing 5 hits, and 4 runs, while striking out 3, and no walks.

Cadet's Corner

??? Ross Friedrick on today's win against Holy Cross!#GoArmy pic.twitter.com/qUphzumkMe
— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) March 26, 2023

Up Next

The Black Knights will host the Marist Red Foxes on Tuesday, March 28 at 3:00 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.