Army West Point Athletics

Baseball Secures Baseball Star in Walk-off Classic
April 28, 2024 | Baseball
Trailing by a run heading into the bottom of the ninth in Sunday Baseball Star Series-deciding game against the Navy Midshipman, Addison Ainsworth tied the game with a one-out double, and Barr give the Black Knights the right to sing second with a two-out walk-off base hit to score pinch-runner Zac Farrell, and secure the 7-6 victory.
The Black Knights now sit just one win away from the Patriot League regular season title and home-field advantage throughout the conference tournament.
Army improved to 25-18 and 14-7 in the Patriot League, securing the head-to-head tiebreaker over Navy.
Starting pitcher Matthew Ronnebaum delivered seven innings, striking out eight batters in a no-decision.
William Parker gave Army an early lead in the opening stanza, scoring Derek Berg on an RBI single.
Navy took a lead in the top of the second with a two-run homer. But a Berg solo home run in the third tied the contest for Braden Golinski gave the Black Knights a 4-2 lead in the fifth on a two-run home run.
Parker stretched the lead to three runs on a two-out, RBI infield single in the sixth.
The Mids would respond however with two runs in the seventh to cut the Army lead to one, before taking the lead with a two-run eighth. Berg kept the game in reach for Army however, executing a pickoff throw from behind the plate to second base.
A Golinski leadoff single in the ninth set up Army's ninth-inning rally, advancing into scoring position via a passed ball.
Trey Ates made a bullpen appearance in the, before Andrew Berg recorded the final six outs and eanred the win.
By the Numbers
4-for-5: Parker was 4-for-5 with four RBIs.
2-for-5: Golinski, Berg and Barr each were 2-for-5.
2: Sam Ruta and Ainsworth drew two walks each, with Ruta recorded six free passes across the series.
14: Ronnebaum retired 14 consecutive batters from the second through the sixth innings.
Black Knight Notes
Army Baseball won the Baseball Star for the third consecutive year.
The Black Knights are 12-3 in its past 15 games against Navy, and 15-4 in its past 19 against service academy rivals.
After splitting two games in Annapolis last month and going 3-2 over Navy this year, the all-time series with the Midshipmen is tied 131-131.
Army has won each series and season series in Patriot League play.
The Black Knights won by non-run rule walk off for the first time this season.
Next Up
Army remains home the rest of the regular season, with a 4:30 p.m. first pitch Tuesday against LIU. The club then faces Lehigh next Saturday and Lafayette next Sunday in doubleheaders before the opening of postseason play.
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Follow Army Baseball on X @ArmyWP_Baseball and on Instagram @armywp_baseball. Fans can also like Army West Point Athletics on Facebook and learn more about baseball and other programs at goarmywestpoint.com.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Berg, Andrew (4-1)
L: Kruer, Landon (1-3)
Batting:
2B: Izquierdo, Victor 1
HR: Keller, Logan 1
RBI: Murtha, Brock 1 ; Izquierdo, Victor 2 ; Keller, Logan 2 ; Killelea, Jack 1
SF: Izquierdo, Victor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lehnertz, Hudson 1 ; Diaz, Eduardo 1 ; Murtha, Brock 1 ; Izquierdo, Victor 1 ; Manning, Andrew 1 ; Keller, Logan 1
HBP: Lehnertz, Hudson 1
PO: Fiallo, Anthony 1

Batting:
2B: Ainsworth, Addison 1
HR: Berg, Derek 1 ; Golinski, Braden 1
RBI: Barr, Chris 1 ; Berg, Derek 1 ; Parker, William 2 ; Golinski, Braden 2 ; Ainsworth, Addison 1
SH: Schreck, Thomas 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Barr, Chris 1 ; Berg, Derek 2 ; Parker, William 1 ; Golinski, Braden 2 ; Farrell, Zac 1
SB: Barr, Chris 1
CS: Parker, William 1
HBP: Schreck, Thomas 1