Army West Point Athletics
Army West Point
Yale
Moore Sparks Army's 10-2 Win Over Yale
April 21, 2011 | Baseball
Box Score
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Clint Moore blasted a three-run home run and drove in five runs during Army's nine-run third inning as the Black Knights coasted to a 10-2 victory over Yale in a non-league contest Wednesday afternoon at Doubleday Field.
Army, which has scored at least 10 runs in winning two straight games, improves to 15-19 on the season. Yale, which saw its five-game winning streak snapped, falls to 20-13.
Moore went 2-for-5 with five RBI and one run scored to pace Army offensively. Cody Murtle and Joey Henshaw each recorded a pair of base hits for the Black Knights. Army only managed seven hits in the contest, but the Black Knights took advantage of 12 walks handed out by Yale pitching.
"Yale helped us out a little bit with the walks, but we were able to take advantage of what they gave us with some big hits," said Army head coach Joe Sottolano. "Joey got us started in the first inning and Clint came up with a couple of big knocks during the third inning. We received some quality performances out of our bullpen, and our defense was outstanding today as well."
Army opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning as Zach Price walked, moved to second base on Steve May's sacrifice bunt and scored on Henshaw's RBI single.
Yale manufactured a run in the top of the third inning to tie the score at 1-1. Cale Hanson was hit by a pitch with two outs, advanced to second base on a passed ball, took third on a wild pitch and scored on Andy Megee's RBI single.
Army seized control of the game in the bottom half of the third as the Black Knights sent 13 men to the plate and scored nine runs on just four hits. Six Army batters received free passes during the inning, and five of those came around to score.
Price and May drew back-to-back walks to begin the uprising and Moore followed by crushing a 1-0 fastball over the fence in left field for his sixth home run of the season. Moore's blast cleared the road beyond the wall and caromed up against Cullum Hall.
"I went up there looking for a pitch up in the zone," said Moore of his third-inning home run. "He was behind in the count, and he hung a fastball up and in. Fortunately, I was able to drive it up and out of here through the wind. It was a good feeling to hit it out and help contribute to our big inning."
Moore's home run chased Yale starter Nolan Becker (0-1) from the game after just two-plus innings of work. Henshaw and Brent Peterson both drew walks to put two men aboard for Murtle, who ripped an RBI single to right-center field. J.T. Watkins followed with a single of his own to load the bases for Clayton Mosley, who walked to force in Peterson with Army's fourth run of the inning. Price then drew his third walk of the game to force home Murtle. Watkins scampered home on May's fielder's choice grounder to the pitcher, and Moore capped the inning as he stroked a two-run single to left field.
Yale got one run back in the top of the fourth as Andrew Moore singled and eventually scored when Gant Elmore drew a bases loaded walk.
That was as close as the Bulldogs would get, however, as the Army bullpen tossed 5.2 innings of scoreless relief. John Buckley (2-0) picked up the victory for the Black Knights as he threw 3.2 hitless innings. Ken Jackson pitched a perfect eighth inning and Moore worked around a base hit and a walk in the ninth to nail down the win.
"I just went out there today trying to throw strikes," said Buckley of his outing. "I was trying to keep the ball down to get groundball outs, and our defense played very well behind me today. It's real easy to pitch when guys are making plays like they were today."
Army returns to its Patriot League schedule this weekend (April 23-24) when the Black Knights travel to Easton, Pa., to face conference co-leader Lafayette in a pivotal four-game series.
Game Notes: Army improves to 52-34-1 all-time versus Yale ... Clint Moore's 380 career total bases are tied for first place on Army's all-time list ... Moore's home run was the 30th of his decorated Army career, extending his own Academy record ... Moore matched his career high with five RBI ... Moore has hit safely in seven straight games ... Zach Price's 12-game hitting streak was snapped after going 0-for-2 today ... Army wore its pinstripe uniforms and black caps for today's non-conference contest.
