Baseball Falls to Lafayette on Senior Day

Saturday, April 29

West Point, NY

3:15 PM

Army West Point

29-14, 17-3

Lafayette College

14-30, 10-10

Lafayette

Army West Point

Baseball Falls to Lafayette on Senior Day

April 29, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y.– The Army West Point baseball team (29-14, 17-3 PL) fell to the Lafayette College Leopards (14-30, 10-10, PL) 4-3 on Senior Day Saturday afternoon. Senior Ross Friedrick had a home run, an RBI, and two runs.

How it Happened

The Lafayette Leopards attacked Army starter Matthew Ronnebaum (L, 5-3) in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Easton Brenner walked, putting a runner on first. Pete Ciuffreda hit a single to left center, putting runners on the corners. Ciuffreda was tagged out at second by Kevin Dubrule after attempting to steal second. With one out, Michael Zarrillo was hit by a pitch, putting runners on the corners. The Leopards loaded the bases after Seif Ingram walked. Justin Grech walked advancing the runners, and bringing Brenner in to score, giving Lafayette a 1-0 lead. The Leopards took a 2-0 lead, after Grech advanced on a wild pitch, advancing Ingram to third, and sending Zarrillo in to score. With two outs, Michael Mallas was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. John Ahler walked, advancing Mallas to second, Grech to third, and Ingram across the plate, making it a 3-0 game. Army relief pitcher Trevor Finan came in to pitch relief for Matthew Ronnebaum. Finan retired the side with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the first, the Black Knight threatened Lafayette starter Alex Walsh (W, 5-1). Leadoff hitter Derek Berg walked, putting a runner on first. Berg stole second, putting a runner in scoring position. With one out, Kevin Dubrule reached first on an error by third baseman Seif Ingram. Lafayette ended the inning with a groundout and a strikeout.

In the top of the third, the Leopards attacked the Black Knights. With one out, Kyle Chmielewski ripped a double to left center, putting a runner in scoring position. Mallas flew out to left field, advancing Chmielewski to third. Lafayette took a 4-0 pitch after scoring on a wild pitch. Finan cleared the side with a strikeout.

In the bottom of the third, Army got out in order.

Lafayette threatened the Black Knights in the top of the fourth. Ben Petrone reached first on an error by Dubrule. With one out, Petrone was tagged out by Dubrule attempting to steal second base. Ciuffreda walked, putting a runner on first. Finan cleared the side with a strikeout.

Army began its comeback attempt in the bottom of the fourth. Leadoff hitter Ross Friedrick blasted a solo home run to right field, making it a 4-1 game. With two outs, senior Bennett Smith walked, putting a runner on first. Bret Copeland walked, putting runners on first and second. The Black Knights had two runners in scoring position, after Smith and Copeland advanced on a passed ball. Lafayette ended the inning after Addison Ainsworth fouled out.

Tyler Prichard came in to pitch relief for Trevor Finan.

In the top of the fifth, the Leopards got out in order.

The Black Knights started their comeback attempt in the bottom of the fifth. Sam Ruta ripped a single to right field with one out, putting a runner on first. Dubrule reached first on a fielder's choice, and Ruta was tagged out at second. Friedrick walked, putting runners on first and second. With two outs, Braden Golinski hit a bases-clearing double to left center, sending Dubrule and Friedrick in to score, making it a 4-3 game. The Leopards ended the inning with a fly-out.

Lafayette got out in order in the top of the sixth.

Army attempted to threaten the Leopards in the bottom of the sixth. Bennett Smith walked, putting a runner on first. Kevin Luke came in to pinch run for Bennett Smith. Chris Barr came in to pinch-hit for Bret Copeland. Barr hit a sacrifice bunt, advancing Luke to second. Walsh retired the side with a pop-up and a fly-out.

In the top of the seventh, Barr went to second for Copeland.

Lafayette was retired in order in the seventh.

Dylan Siesky (S, 3) came in to pitch relief for Alex Walsh.

Army got out in order in the bottom of the seventh, securing the win for the Leopards.

Inside the Box

Army starter Matthew Ronnebaum (5-3) got the loss, pitching 0.2 inning, allowing 1 hit, and 3 runs, while striking out 1 and walking 3.
Ross Friedrick batted 2-4, with a home run, an RBI, and 2 runs.
Junior Braden Golinski had a hit, a double, and 2 RBIs.
Relief pitcher Trevor Finan worked 3.1 innings, allowing 2 hits, and 1 run, while striking out 6, and walked 1.
Senior Tyler Prichard pitched 3.0 innings, allowing no runs or hits, while striking out 2, and had no walks.
Alex Walsh (5-1) got the win, working 6.0 innings, allowing 4 hits, and 3 runs, while striking out 4, and walking 5.
Dylan Siesky (3) got the save, pitching 1.0 inning, allowing no hits, runs, strikeouts, or walks.

Up Next

The Black Knights and the Leopards will wrap up the series with Game 3 on Sunday, April 30 at 10 a.m.

Follow Along
For complete coverage of Army West Point Baseball, follow the Black Knights on Twitter and Instagram at @ArmyWP_Baseball and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.