Baseball Defeats Sacred Heart 4-2, Extends Winning Streak to Eight

Wednesday, April 12

West Point, NY

3:30 PM

Army West Point

21-12

Sacred Heart University

14-15

Sacred Heart

Army West Point

Baseball Defeats Sacred Heart 4-2, Extends Winning Streak to Eight

April 12, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point baseball team (21-12, 9-2 PL) defeated the Sacred Heart University Pioneers (14-15, 9-6, NEC) 4-2 Wednesday afternoon. Army's Derek Berg had a hit, two runs, two RBIs, a home run, and a stolen base.

How it Happened

In the bottom of the first, Army quickly attacked Sacred Heart starter Nick Kane (L, 0-1). Derek Berg had a leadoff walk, putting a runner on first. Berg quickly stole second, putting a runner in scoring position. Junior Braden Golinski walked, putting runners on first and second. The Black Knights loaded the bases after Kevin Dubrule hit a single to Kane. Berg scored the first run, after Ross Friedrick and Dubrule got out on a double play, advancing Golinski to third. Third baseman Sam Ruta ripped a double down the left field line, sending Golinski in to score, giving Army a 2-0 lead.

Take a look at Sam Ruta's RBI double down the left field line!

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— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) April 12, 2023

Sacred Heart ended the inning with a strikeout.

The bats for the Black Knights stayed alive in the bottom of the second. With one out, William Parker hit a single, putting a runner on first. With two outs, Parker stole second, putting a runner in scoring position. Berg hit a 2-run home run, giving Army a 4-0 lead.

Derek Berg hits a ?? shot to left field!

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— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) April 12, 2023

The Pioneers cleared the side with a groundout.

Army and Sacred Heart were in a pitcher's duel in the third inning, keeping it a 4-0 game.

Dennis Gamester came into the game as the catcher for Tyler Galletti.

In the top of the fourth inning, Sacred Heart attacked Army starter, Steven Graver. Justin Jordan ripped a leadoff double through the left side, putting a runner in scoring position. With one out, Sam Mongelli hit a ground rule double, sending Jordan in to score, making it a 4-1 game. Ryan Donnelly grounded out to shortstop, advancing Mongelli to third. Army cleared the side with William Parker making a diving catch in right field.

WILL PARKER!!!! ?? ??

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— Army Baseball (@ArmyWP_Baseball) April 12, 2023

Will Hart came in to pitch relief for Steven Graver. With one out, Robert Farruggio blasted a solo home run to left field, making it a two-run game. Gamester hit a single to right center, putting a runner on first. Sacred Heart's John Green ripped a single to Dubrule, tagging Gamester out at second. Hart retired the side with a strikeout.

Mitch Hawkins came in to relief for Nick Kane.

Hawkins retired the side in the bottom of the fifth with a groundout, a strikeout, and a flyout.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Pioneers threatened the Black Knights. Donnelly hit a single through left center with two outs, putting a runner on base. Donnell advanced on a passed ball, putting a runner in scoring position. Hart cleared the side with a strikeout.

In the top of the seventh, Army's Joe Valchar came in to relief for Will Hart

Sacred Heart's Tim McGuire hit a leadoff single to left field, putting a runner on base. Farruggio reached first after being hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second. With one out, Joey Skarad came in to pinch-hit for John Greene. Derek Berg caught Farruggio stealing, earning the second out for the Black Knights. Valchar retired the side with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the seventh, Mark Smith went into left field for Joey Skarad and Jack Bebbington came in to pitch relief for Mitch Hawkins.

Army threatened to score against Bebbington. In his first start of the season, Bennett Smith came in to pinch-hit for Justin Lehman. Smith struck out but reached first on an error by Gamester. Kevin Luke came in to pinch run for Smith. With one out, Addison Ainsworth ripped a single to Bebbington, putting runners on first and second. The Black Knights loaded the bases after Chris Barr walked. Relief pitcher Trent Price came in to pitch relief for Jack Bebbington. The Pioneers cleared the side with a double play.

Ethan Ellis went into right field in the top of the eighth inning. Jordan hit a single through the left field line, putting a runner on first. Zack Kobalch hit a sacrifice bunt, advancing Jordan to second, putting a runner in scoring position. Senior Robbie Buecker came into the game to pitch relief for Joe Valchar. The Black Knights retired the side with a groundout and a flyout.

Sacred Heart had a 1-2-3 inning with three groundouts in the top of the eighth.

With two outs in the top of the ninth, Robert Farruggio walked, putting a runner on first. Buecker secured the win after striking out Gamester.

Inside the Box

Derek Berg had a hit, 2 runs, 2 RBIs, a home run, and a stolen base.
Sam Ruta had a hit, an RBI, and a double.
Army starter Steven Graver (No Decision), worked 4.0 innings, allowing 3 hits, and 1 run, and had no strikeouts or walks.
Will Hart (1-0) got the win, pitching 2.0 innings, allowing 4 hits, and 1 run, while striking out and no walks.
Kevin Dubrule had a hit, extending his hitting streak to 14 games.
Joe Valchar pitched 1.1 inning, allowing 2 hits, and no runs, while striking out 1, and no walks.
William Parker had a hit, a run, and a stolen base.
Robbie Buecker (2) got the save, working 1.2 inning, having no hits or run, while striking out 2, and walked 1.
Nick Kane (0-1), got the loss, working 4.0 innings, allowing 4 hits, and 4 runs, while striking out 7, and walking 2.
Jack Bebbington pitched 0.1 inning, allowing 1 hit, no runs, while striking out 2, and walked 1.
Trent Price worked 1.2 inning, allowing no runs, no hits, and had no walks or strikeouts.

Up Next
The Black Knights will travel to Bethlehem, Pa., for a 3-game road series against Bucknell. The series begins with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 15. Game 1 will begin at 12:00 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.