Black Knights Extend Win Streak to Nine Games

Saturday, March 4

Fairfax, Va.

10 AM

Army West Point

8-4

Columbia

1-4

Army West Point

Columbia

Black Knights Extend Win Streak to Nine Games

March 05, 2017 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

FAIRFAX, Va. – The Army West Point softball team has won its ninth-straight game by posting an 8-4 victory over Columbia in extra-innings before taking down host George Mason, 12-1, in five innings on Saturday.

The Black Knights improved to 9-4 on the season, while the Lions fell to 1-4 and the Patriots dropped to 1-7.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

The Black Knights' extra-inning affair with Columbia marked the second time in program history Army had back-to-back extra-innings games. The other was in 2004 vs. Wagner (L, 7-8 in 8 inn.) and IUPUI (W, 5-4 in 8 inn.) at the Rebel Games.
Army's nine-game winning streak is its' longest since taking 13-straight victories in 2012.
The Black Knights improved to 5-1 all-time against George Mason, while they jumped to 3-6 all-time against Columbia.

LINEUP BREAKDOWN vs. COLUMBIA
Swafford (LF): 1-for-4 with a double

Riccoboni (PH): 0-for-1 with a run scored and an RBI

Trotter (RF): 2-for-5 with a homerun, two runs scored and an RBI
Ballesteros (3B): 1-for-4 with a triple, walk and three RBI
Kim (2B): 0-for-4 with a walk
Rashenskas (SS): 1-for-4 with two runs scored
Ontiveros (C): 2-for-3 with a double, HBP, run scored and an RBI
Gray (DH): 1-for-3 with a walk

McKinney (PR): Run scored

Gaff (1B): 2-for-3 with an HBP

Hartman (PR): N/A

Yoo (CF): 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly, walk, run scored and an RBI

Newbary (P): 3.2 innings, five hits, three runs (earned), three walks and three strikeouts
West (P): 4.1 innings, three hits, one run (0 earned runs), one walk and two strikeouts

FACTS & FIGURES vs. COLUMBIA

Army collected eight runs on 10 hits and two errors, while Columbia notched four runs on eight hits and one error.

HOW IT HAPPENED vs. COLUMBIA

Army's offense was clicking early in the game, earning a hit and two baserunners in each of the first two innings.
Jordan Townsend opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning to give Columbia a 1-0 lead.
The Lions extended their lead to two runs the following inning after a runner scored from third on an error.
The Black Knights cut the deficit in half with a sacrifice fly from Ashley Yoo that plated Katie Ontiveros in the top of the fourth.
Columbia responded in the bottom half of the inning, however, with an RBI triple with two outs to take a 3-1 lead.
Army once again had an answer as Amelia Trotter opened the fifth inning with a home run of her own.
The Black and Gold tied the game later that inning with a double by Ontiveros that scored Alee Rashenskas.
Army had to yield off a late push from Columbia after a leadoff double and a sacrifice bunt put the potential game-winning run on third with one out on the seventh inning.
A pop out and ground out would force extra innings for the second time in as many games for the Black Knights.
The Black Knights posted a five-spot to open the additional frame, starting with Rashenskas scoring on an error to give Army its first lead of the game.
A Nena Riccoboni fielder's choice plated Tyler McKinney to increase the lead to two runs before a bases-loaded triple by Emily Ballesteros cleared the bases.
Columbia added an RBI double in the bottom of the inning, but that would be all they could muster.

LINEUP BREAKDOWN vs. GEORGE MASON
Yoo (LF): 0-for-3 with an RBI

Reilly (PH/LF): 0-for-1

Trotter (RF): 1-for-1 with a run scored and two walks

Gates (RF): 0-for-1

Ballesteros (3B): 1-for-3 a run scored and two RBI

Harrison (3B): 0-for-1

Ontiveros (C): 1-for-3 with a run scored
Kim (2B): 2-for-2 with a double and two runs scored

Esparza-Gallegos (SS): 0-for-1

Gray (DH): 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI
Gaff (1B): 2-for-2 with a run scored and a walk

Hartman (PR): One run scored

Smith (P): 1-for-3 with a double, run scored and an RBI
Rashenskas (SS/2B): 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI

McKinney (CF/PR): One run scored

Smith (P): 5.0 innings, three hits, one run (earned), one walk and one strikeout

FACTS & FIGURES vs. GEORGE MASON

Army documented 12 runs on 11 hits and one error, while George Mason compiled one run on three hits and committed four errors.

HOW IT HAPPENED vs. GEORGE MASON

After going down in order in the first inning, the Black Knights offense came alive with seven runs in the second.
The scoring opened up with a Maddie Kim single to center field that scored Katie Ontiveros thanks to a throwing error by the center fielder.
An Emily Gray single followed, allowing Kim to score the game's second run.
Ashley Yoo grounded out to score Gray before Emily Ballesteros hit a two RBI single to give Army a 5-0 advantage.
The scoring that inning ended with a two-run error by Ontiveros.
Army followed that up with five more runs in the third inning that started with a leadoff double by Kim.
She scored on an error that put Gray on first, while Caroline Smith helped her own cause with an RBI double.
The Black Knights broke double-digits for the first time this season with a pass ball that allowed pinch runner Sam Hartman to score.
The final two runs came when Alee Rashenskas singled in Smith and later scored on a pass ball.