WEST POINT, N.Y. – Never say die. Needing to win twice, Army West Point trailed by large margins in the late innings against Bucknell on May 13. Twice. The Black Knights rallied. Twice.
After dropping Saturday's Game 1 of the best-of-three Patriot League Semifinal Series, the Black Knights faced elimination Monday, but end the day with a berth in the Championship series next week. Game 1 (Game 2 of series)A five-run seventh inning was the difference in Army's 9-7, come-from behind win in the opening matchup Monday. Training 7-2 at the seventh inning stretch, the Black Knights scratched across five in the inning, eventually winning the game on go-ahead runs in the eighth. Schreck led off the seventh with a hit-by-pitch, before Chris Barr commenced the rally with a double to score Schreck. William Parker's RBI groundout cut it to 7-4 two at-bats later. With the bases loaded, Coleson Titus was hit by a pitch, and Justin Lehman was walked. Addision Ainsworth then tied the game on a sacrifice fly.In the eighth, it was Sam Ruta who was the hero, belting a two-RBI double to the right center fence, just barely missing a home run. Barr and Derek Berg crossed the plate on the extra base knock to give Army a permanent lead.It was the second knock of extra bases for Ruta, who launched a two-run home run in the first inning to get Army on the scoreboard, after Bucknell came out of the gates with three runs in the top of the first. The Bison scored four in the fourth to take a five-run lead. Three empty frames offensively for Bucknell however set up the Army rally. Tanner Gresham took the win, the 2023 Patriot League Picher of the Year's first of the season in his third appearance of the year after rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery last season. He inherited a bases-loaded situation the eighth with the game tied and escaped without a run allowed. He then followed with a scoreless ninth to close the game. Starting pitcher Matthew Ronnebaum provided 3.1 innings, before passing the baton to Andrew Berg for 4.1 frames. Game 2 (Game 3 of series)In the deciding game, it looked like Army's magic from Monday afternoon would expire, as the sun set behind Storm King Mountain. The club had other thoughts, en route to a 6-5 win.Down to five outs, trailing 5-2, and with the bases empty in the eighth inning, Parker was hit by a pitch to set the bases in motion. The counterclockwise carousel didn't stop until Army had the lead. With the bases loaded later in the stanza, Ainsworth drew the team's second bases loaded walk of the doubleheader. Still down two, and with two outs in the frame, Justin Lehman—the Patriot League Pitcher of the Year—pinch hit, and the two-way player delivered, driving in two runs on a single to left field to tie the game. Needing one more run to take the lead, Barr provided just that, when he walked on a full count with the bases loaded. Steven Graver then recorded three outs to secure the win, working around a pair of infield singles to strand the bases loaded. He earned his fourth victory of the year, in relief for Mike Ruggieri after his five-frame start. Earlier in the contest, Bucknell took an initial lead in the top of the third on a two-RBI single. Derek Berg cut into the deficit with a solo home run in the home half of the inning. Ainsworth tied the game 2-2 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly, before Bucknell responded with a two-run homer in the fifth and a solo homer in the seventh. By the Numbers1: Despite allowing seven runs in the initial game, only one run was earned. 2: Army had two total home runs in the doubleheader. 4: Ruta totaled four RBIs in the early game. 10: All 10 players who started at least one game in the lineup reached base. Next UpArmy will face Navy in a rematch of the Star Series to decide the Patriot League Championship next week. Dates and times will be announced when they become available. ESPN+ will broadcast each matchup from Doubleday Field.