3/28/2002 - Baseball
Navy Plays Host to Army in Baseball Star Series
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ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy baseball team will play host to Academy-rival Army as the two teams open Patriot League play Saturday afternoon at Max Bishop Stadium with a doubleheader beginning at 12 noon. The two teams will close the four-game series Sunday with an Easter doubleheader, also beginning at 12 noon.
The winner of the four-game series will win the Star. In the event of a series split, the winning team in the first game Saturday will win the Star.
"It is a big weekend of both teams," Navy head coach Steve Whitmyer said. "Not only is the series for the Star, it also is a conference series, so both teams will be ready to play. We are looking forward to getting back out on the field after the Penn State series last weekend."
Navy (5-13) is looking to snap a seven-game losing streak, while Army aims to end a four-game skid. The Mids fell to the Nittany Lions, 12-1 and 10-7, in a pair of nine-inning games last weekend at Max Bishop Stadium. Navy has been outscored 33-9 in the last three games, while the Mids' pitching staff has given up 47 hits.
Shortstop Matt Lukevics (Fr./Tampa, Fla.) has been one of the bright spots for the Mids offensively this season. With a team batting average of .227, Lukevics is batting .300, while catcher David Woolsey (Sr./Columbia, S.C.) is hitting .295. Outfielder Craig Candeto (So./Orange City, Fla.), currently participating in spring football drills, leads the team in hits (19) and at-bats (73), while adding two doubles, one triple, one home run and six RBIs.
Right-hander Andy Froistad (So./St. Paul, Minn.) is 2-1 in three starts with a 2.70 earned-run average. Relief pitcher Bryan Koehler (Sr./Lutz, Fla.) has made seven appearances out of the bullpen and has struck out a team-high 13 batters in 13.1 innings on the hill.
Army (5-8) has been outscored 57-12 in its last three games, falling to sixth-ranked Florida, 17-1, Wednesday evening in Gainesville, Fla. The Black Knights have committed an error in every game this season, including 14 errors during their current four-game slide.
Outfielder Josh Holden is batting .407 with 11 hits, while 2001 First-Team All-Patriot League outfielder Kyle Kalkwarf leads Army in hits (16), at-bats (46) and RBIs (12), and has a .348 batting average. Second baseman Miguel Gastellum has been steady for the Black Knights, maintaining a .300 batting average with 12 hits, 12 runs scored, 11 stolen bases and 12 walks compared to just six strikeouts.
Right-hander Brian Elliott has posted a 2-2 record in four starts this season, striking out a team-high 14 batters in 21 innings of work. Lefty Mike Erwin's 3.48 ERA leads the Army pitching staff, as the senior has made six appearances out of the bullpen.
Navy leads the overall series, 91-68, while the Mids are seeking their first N-Star victory since the 1999 season. Army has won four of the last six games in Annapolis.
The Naval Academy Commandant of Midshipmen, Col. John Allen, USMC, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday's first game.
Sunday Time Change
The Army-Navy baseball doubleheader Sunday will start one hour earlier than previously scheduled. The game will begin at 12 noon with the second game to follow approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
