Army Sweeps Doubleheader from Lafayette

Sunday, April 2

Easton, Pa.

12 p.m.

Army West Point

10-16, 0

Lafayette

3-25, 0

Army

Lafayette

Army Sweeps Doubleheader from Lafayette

April 02, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

EASTON, Pa. – The Army West Point baseball team earned a twin bill sweep of Lafayette here Sunday afternoon to take the weekend series, 3-1.

The Black Knights won 5-4 in extra innings in the opener after Alex Dickerson doubled to bring home Jon Rosoff for the go ahead run in the top of the eighth. The contest was originally scheduled for seven innings. Then in the nightcap, the Cadets won 10-9 after Carter Van Gytenbeek closed out the final 1.1 innings on the mound to secure the win.

The doubleheader sweep marked Army's first since recording back-to-back wins on March 12, 2016 over Massachusetts.

Both wins came in thrilling fashion as the Black Knights rallied in each contest to earn the victory.

In Game 1, it was a pitcher's duel until the Black Knights broke the deadlock with a run in the fourth. The Leopards quickly responded over the next two innings in which they pulled in front 3-1. The Cadets would not go away though as Jacob Hurtubise sparked a two-out rally with a single up the middle in the top of the seventh. John McCarthy followed that up singling through the left side before Kris Lindner drilled a shot over the right field fence to bring home all three runs. His second long ball of the season handed Army the 4-3 edge.

Unfortunately, the home team went yard in the bottom half of the seventh to send the game into extras. But Army would persist, scoring the go-ahead run and eventual game-winning run in the top of the eighth to notch the dramatic victory.

During the second game, Lafayette opened up a 3-0 lead after three innings. The Black Knights would rally though, posting 10 runs over the next five innings to break the game open at 10-3. The Leopards would answer with six big runs in the bottom of the eighth to pull within 10-9 and make it a game again.

With the bases loaded and it a one-run ballgame with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Van Gytenbeek came in for relief to pop John Marti up to the shortstop on his first pitch. That out ended the inning and halted the Leopards' rally just shy. The rookie then closed out the final inning with two runners on to secure his second career save.

On the day, Lindner batted .600 after finishing 3-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs. McCarthy and Dickerson chipped in three hits as well with McCarthy accounting for four runs and Dickerson three RBI. Rosoff and Hurtubise also registered multiple hits on the day. Rosoff reeled in three RBI, while Hurtubise scored three runs.

Both Van Gytenbeek and Gibbons shifted to 2-1 on the year. In his two appearances during the twin bill, Van Gytenbeek allowed just one hit, while fanning four in his 3.0 innings of work.

Gibbons was impressive on the hill for Army in Game 2, giving up just four hits and three runs, two of which were earned, in 7.0 strong innings. The junior threw a season-high 116 pitches in the game, including matching his season-best in strikeouts with eight.

ARMY HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

The Black Knights close out their first weekend of Patriot League play with a mark of 3-1. The Cadets currently have an overall record of 11-16.
Army turned two double plays in Game 1, while Lafayette earned one.
Lindner blasted his fourth career home run during the opener before drilling his fifth career triple in Game 2.
Dickerson registered his ninth career double, while McCarthy notched his seventh.
Army stolen three bases on the day. The Leopards swiped one.
Lafayette notched seven extra base hits, while the Black Knights' posted four.
The Cadets gave up a home run in both games.
Highlights from Game 1
- Both leadoff men for each team were the only two players to register multiple hits in the game. Those two players were Hurtubise and Steven Cohen.
- Cohen also notched his first home run of the season for Lafayette to knot the score in the bottom of the seventh at 4-4.
- Five Army pitchers saw action, with Tyler Giovinco getting the starting nod. The sophomore pitched 4.1 innings, allowing three hits and one unearned run. He added four strikeouts as well.
Highlights from Game 2
- Gibbons pitched a season-high 116 pitches and matched his season-best in strikeouts with eight.
- Van Gytenbeek completed his impressive day with the save after earning the win on the mound during Game 1.
- The Leopards were forced to use four pitchers throughout the game.

LINEUP BREAKDOWN
Game 1
     Hurtubise (CF): 2-for-5 with a run
     McCarthy (LF): 1-for-3 with 2 runs
     Lindner (2B): 1-for-1 with 3 RBI and a run
     Hudgins (RF): 0-for-2 with 2 walks
        - Lee (PR/RF): N/A
     Rosoff (C): 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run
     Saldivar (DH): 1-for-2 with a walk
     Dickerson (1B): 1-for-4 with an RBI
     Martin (3B): 0-for-2
        - McKenna (PH): 0-for-1
        - Crompton (3B): 0-for-1
     White (SS): 0-for-3

   Giovinco (P): 4.1 innings, 3 hits, 1 run, 0 earned runs, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts
        - Messina: 1.0 innings, 1 hit, 2 runs, 0 earned runs
        - Opp: 0.2 innings, 1 strikeout
        - Santoro: 0.1 innings, 2 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks
        - Van Gytenbeek (W): 1.2 innings, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

Game 2
     Hurtubise (CF): 0-for-4 with 2 runs and a walk
     McCarthy (LF): 2-for-4 with an RBI and 2 runs
     Lindner (2B): 2-for-4 with 2 runs and a walk
     Hudgins (RF): 1-for-3 with an RBI, a run and 2 walks
        - Lee (RF): N/A
     Rosoff (C): 1-for-3 with 2 RBI, 2 runs and 2 walks
     Saldivar (DH): 0-for-2 with an RBI and a run
        - McKenna (DH): 0-for-1
     Dickerson (1B): 2-for-5 with 2 RBI
     Martin (3B): 0-for-3 with a walk
     White (SS): 0-for-4

     Gibbons (P): 7.0 innings, 4 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs, 8 strikeouts
        - Smith: 0.1 inning, 5 hits, 6 earned runs, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
        - Messina: 0.1 innings, 2 hits, 2 strikeouts
        - Van Gytenbeek: 1.1 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

FACTS & FIGURES

The Black Knights posted 15 runs on 15 hits throughout the twin bill, while Lafayette registered 13 runs on 18 hits.
Army finished the doubleheader with six errors, three in each outing. The Leopards tallied one in the opener but five in the nightcap.
The Cadets left 12 runners on base, while Lafayette stranded 20.

UP NEXT

Army will have a midweek contest with Manhattan on Tuesday before heading to Bucknell over the weekend for a four-game series with the Bison.
Tuesday's game is slated for 6:30 p.m. and will be played in Fishkill, N.Y., at the home stadium of the Hudson Valley Renegades, Dutchess Stadium.
The weekend series with Bucknell will be divided up into two doubleheaders with first pitch set for noon on both days. All games will be played at Depew Field.
Live stats will be available for each contest.