April 3, 2004

Box Score (Game 1)
Box Score (Game 2)

WEST POINT, N.Y. (www.lafayette.edu) - Army took two games from Lafayette in Patriot League baseball action on Saturday at Doubleday Field. In game one, Army scored nine runs in the first inning en route to a 10-0 win. In the night cap, Justin Long's RBI-single edged the Black Knights past Lafayette 2-1.

In the opener, Lafayette starter Marcus Ward was dealt his first loss of the season. He gave up nine runs on seven hits while throwing two-thirds of an inning. Milan Dinga recorded the biggest blow of the inning with a two-out triple that scored three runs. He also doubled home a run to get the rally going, a run that would end up as the game-winner.

Lafayette sophomore Tom Phelan came on with two outs in the inning to replace Ward. Phelan's first appearance of the season was a solid one, as he did not allow a run while scattering four hits over four and a third innings.

Army (16-9, 5-1) got to the Lafayette staff for one more run in the sixth off freshman John Fugett when Jeremy Stache smacked a two-out single to center field.

The Leopards (9-13, 3-3) were held to just three hits in the first game, singles by Jeff Rodgers, Ian Law and Eric Vacca. Army starter Nick Hill improved to 5-2 with the win. He struck out four of the 23 batters he faced in the seven-inning game.

Unlike the opener, game two was not decided until the 11th inning when Long singled to leftfield to give Army a 2-1 win.

Lafayette received a sparkling pitching performance from freshman Brian Cope. The Lehigh Valley native fanned 11 batters and allowed just one run on five hits over eight innings.

The Leopards held a slim 1-0 lead for the majority of the game. In the top of the second inning, Craig Alexander started a mini rally with a one-out walk. Frank Cortazar moved him into scoring position with a single, and then Rob Fioretti drove in Alexander with a single through the right side.

The visitors held the lead until the ninth inning. Cope hit Nate Stone to lead off the frame, prompting head coach Joe Kinney to go to the bullpen and bring in Drew Moyer. Moyer retired one batter, but then threw the ball away trying to pick off Stone at first. Stone moved to third on the errant throw.

Moyer then retired the next batter on a groundout, leaving a runner on third with two outs. Long lifted a single to right that scored Stone from third to tie the game and send it to extra innings.

The Lafayette lineup went down in order in the 10th and 11th innings. In the home half of the 11th, Don Smith came on to replace Moyer who allowed one hit in two innings of work. Stache set the table for Army by leading off with a single to center. Nate Cork sacrificed him to second with a bunt. The next batter, Long, singled to left. Fioretti played the ball and threw a strike to home for a close play at the plate. The umpire called Stache safe, a call that was hotly-contested, but nonetheless ended the game with a 2-1 Army victory.

Smith (0-4) took the loss, allowing one run in one-third of an inning. Army's Wade Greenlee (3-0) collected win after throwing the 10th and 11th innings.

The two teams will renew acquaintances on Sunday for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.