Seven-Run Fifth Pushes Belmont Past Baseball

Sunday, February 28

Nashville, TN

1 PM

Army West Point

2-5

Belmont

4-2

Army West Point

Belmont

Seven-Run Fifth Pushes Belmont Past Baseball

February 28, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite a five-RBI day by John McCarthy, the Army West Point baseball team fell to Belmont 20-7 as the Bruins took the lead for good with a seven-run fifth inning on Sunday afternoon at Rose Park.

"We will go back to work this week and will learn from the highs and lows from this weekend," head coach Matt Reid said. "We come away learning more about our club and are excited to get back to work on Monday."

McCarthy's three-run first-inning home run over the fence in left center helped the Black Knights (2-5) take a 5-2 lead after the first two frames. From there, Army was only able to add an unearned run in the fourth and one more in the top of the eighth on an RBI groundout by McCarthy.

Belmont (4-2) scored in all but one inning, including crooked numbers in the first, third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth. With Army leading 6-5 heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Bruins broke the game open with seven runs in the inning.

The home team batted around in the frame and scored all seven runs without making an out. Desi Ammons doubled to start the inning, which ended Army starter Matt Ball's afternoon and brought freshman Jacob Carte out of the Black Knights' bullpen. A walk and a double by Clay Payne tied the game at 6-6 before Carte was replaced by classmate Tyler Giovinco. A walk and three straight singles made it 10-6 at that point. Hunter Holland greeted Patrick Gardner with a two-run double to left, which capped the seven-run inning.

Ball was charged with six runs over 4.0 innings in a no-decision as he allowed eight hits and walked five. Carte (0-2) took the loss and gave up two earned runs and Giovinco surrendered four on three base hits. Gardner came in for Giovinco and recorded six outs, but allowed four runs on five hits in the process as Belmont added to its lead with four runs in the sixth to increase the lead to 16-6.

"We have a lot of respect for the opponents we faced this weekend," Reid continued. "When you make mistakes, they will make you pay."

After Army chased Belmont starter Dylan King in the second inning, Casey Queener logged 6.2 innings and limited Army to two runs on four hits in relief. Queener earned the victory (1-0) and struck out six Army hitters.

Ben Kocher homered and drove in two runs for Belmont, Holland contributed three hits and three RBI, while Brennan Washington and Ammons each were responsible for two hits.
Kris Lindner and David Monge each registered a pair of base hits for Army, with Lindner scoring three runs and Monge crossing the plate twice. Rookies Matt Hudgins and Josh White added a hit apiece in the loss.

"It was great to see some former Army baseball players in Nashville this weekend," added Reid. "Their support means a lot to our players and staff."

The Black Knights return to action next weekend when they travel to North Carolina for a three-game series against UNC Greensboro. First pitch of Friday's series opener is set for 4 p.m.

Game Notes: John McCarthy's home run was the first of his career ... it was his third multiple-RBI game of the 2016 season ... Kris Lindner recorded his third two-hit game of the season and extended his reached-base streak to 16 games.