April 17, 2010

Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

"After losing a very tough first game and falling behind early in game two, we were able to fight our way back and win," stated Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. "As a coach, that always makes you feel good that your team kept battling. That was the greatest part of our day."

In the nightcap, Bucknell (15-23, 4-6 Patriot League) jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Navy (23-14, 4-6 Patriot League) after two innings, but the hole could have been much worse if right fielder Michael Speciale (Sr./Pearland, Texas) had not made a pair of diving catches to end both innings with runners in scoring position.

"Michael made two very good defensive plays for us early in the game," said Kostacopoulos. "In the first inning, he made a nice play on a ball that kept carrying to the warning track. One inning later, he did a solid job on a sinking liner in front of him. If those balls drop, we would have easily been down at least five runs."

Navy used that momentum to strike for a five-run fourth inning and take a lead that it would not relinquish. Following a bases-loaded walk to Kendall Bolt (Sr./Stockton, Calif.), Jeff Bland (Jr./Basking Ridge, N.J.) smacked a two-run double off the fence in right-center to tie the game. After a RBI-groundout by Dylan Wheeler (Fr./Novato, Calif.), Matthew Curley (Sr./Boston, Mass.) knocked in the fifth run of the frame with a single to right.

The Midshipmen built to their lead in the fifth, as Bland smashed a three-run, opposite-field shot over the fence in right field to make the score 9-3.

The Bison would cut the margin in half with a three-run fifth, but Navy tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh, one of which came on a Bland RBI-single to left, and held off the hosts with some stellar work out of the bullpen.

Navy reliever Joel Rinehart (Fr./Kingwood, Texas) allowed two runs on four hits over the final-four innings of the game to earn his second save of the year. Rinehart was able to force Bucknell into eight groundouts, while throwing just 49 pitches in the process. Starter Zach Sipe (So./Huffman, Texas) improved his record to 5-1 on the year, as he yielded six runs on eight hits in five innings with one walk and one strikeout.

"Joel really pitched to the game," said Kostacopoulos. "He was able to get a lot of groundballs, which meant that he was locating the ball well. He took advantage of the lead and kept it."

Bland finished off his big performance in game two with a 3-for-5 showing at the plate with a double, a home run and six RBIs.

"Jeff gave us a huge effort exactly when we needed it," stated Kostacopoulos. "He came in and did something special for us. He was also solid behind the plate, which we've come to expect from him."

Curley also went 3-for-5 out of the leadoff spot, while Speciale went 1-for-2 with two runs scored and three walks. Bolt also scored three times and drove in a pair of runs.

In game one, Navy fell behind 1-0 in the first, but answered with the tying run in the fourth, go-ahead tally in the fifth and two more runs in the sixth to take a 4-1 lead.

Curley drew a leadoff walk in the fourth inning, stole second and scored on a Mike Hoosier (Sr./Pomona, N.Y.) single to left. One inning later with two outs and nobody on, Andrew Hahn (So./Ellicott City, Md.) and Curley had back-to-back hits before Alex Azor (So./Miami, Fla.) produced the go-ahead single to left. In the sixth, Speciale led off with a double and would score on a Mike Guadagnini (Jr./Virginia Beach, Va.) single, who would eventually score on a wild pitch.

Meanwhile, Navy starter Sam Long (Jr./Newnan, Ga.) had settled in after the first inning to keep Bucknell off the board heading into the bottom of the seventh with a 4-1 cushion. Long allowed back-to-back singles on 1-2 counts to start the frame before Drew Carlson (Sr./Boca Raton, Fla.) was called on out of the bullpen. Carlson yielded a RBI-single to the first batter he faced and after a groundout, the game-tying double to left-center. Following an intentional walk to set up a double play, Tyler Mapes (Fr./Plano, Texas) was summoned out of the bullpen to face Drew Constable. The Bucknell left fielder took the first pitch he saw and singled it into left field to bring home the game-winning run.

Long allowed three runs on nine hits over his six-plus innings on the hill with no walks and seven strikeouts in getting a no decision. Carlson had his record fall to 1-1, as he was credited for the loss.

"It was unfortunate with what happened to Sam," stated Kostacopoulos. "He pitched well and gave us six very solid innings. However, we weren't able to finish the job out of our bullpen."

Speciale went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in the opener. Navy was outhit by Bucknell, 12-8.

The Midshipmen will conclude their four-game set at Bucknell with a 12 noon doubleheader tomorrow. Live stats will be available via GameTracker on www.NavySports.com(.)

DIAMOND NOTES:
- Navy's come-from-behind victory in game two on Saturday was its 12th of the season ... the Midshipmen trailed 3-0 after two innings before coming back to win 11-8 ... last year, Navy posted 12 comeback victories.
- With Saturday's doubleheader split, the Midshipmen are 60-49-1 all-time against Bucknell.
- Navy's defense played error-free baseball in both games on Saturday ... the Midshipmen have had 10 of those games this spring ... over the last-four games, Navy's defense has committed just one error.
- Jeff Bland's six RBIs were a career high and tied the team's highest total this spring, as Mike Guadagnini also drove in six against Central Connecticut State ... Bland's six RBIs ranks as the fifth-highest mark for a single game in the program's 115-year history.
- This Saturday's twinbill marked the first games for Navy out of the state of Maryland since it defeated Air Force in Savannah, Ga., on Feb. 28 ... during that time, Navy played three road games - at Georgetown (Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda), at Maryland and at Maryland Eastern Shore.
- With the game two win on Saturday, Navy's senior class recorded its 110th career victory ... the Class of 2010 is just one win shy of matching the Class of 2008's 111 victories for the winningest class in school history.
- Michael Speciale's three runs on Saturday increased his career total to 142, which is tied for the second most in program history with Todd Benke (1995-98).
- With Joel Rinehart's save on Saturday, the Midshipmen pushed their season saves total to 10 ... its only the fourth time in school history that Navy has recorded 10-plus team saves in a season - all of which have come during the five-year tenures of head coach Paul Kostacopoulos and pitching coach Scott Friedholm.
- Game one starter Sam Long recorded his fifth quality start of the year, which ties him with Zach Sipe for the most on the team this spring ... it was also Navy's 17th quality start of 2010.
- In other Patriot League action, Army (8-2 PL) swept Lehigh (6-4 PL) in West Point, 3-2 and 4-1 ... Lafayette (2-6 PL) at Holy Cross (4-4 PL) was postponed due to rain.