May 11, 2011
Box Score
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy baseball team dropped its final regular-season game, 14-1, to Delaware State on Wednesday afternoon at Max Bishop Stadium. The Midshipmen walked a total of 12 batters and committed a pair of costly errors early in game that allowed the Hornets to take a 10-1 lead after three innings.
"We'll put this game behind us now and prepare for the weekend," said Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. "We've got two days of practice ahead of us and we'll be ready to go on Saturday."
Navy's troubles started early, as the Hornets took advantage of two walks and an error in the top of the first inning to go ahead, 3-0. Already leading 1-0 with two outs, DSU's Jose Portella sent a ball toward right field that Taylor Cato misplayed, allowing two runs to score on the error.
An RBI groundout and wild pitch led to two more runs for the Hornets in the second inning, before they scored five times in the top of the third inning to go up 10-0. The key play in the third came with the bases loaded and one out when Delaware State's Troy Drummond belted a ball to left field. The ball skidded toward Navy left fielder Brandon Beans, who charged the ball, but let it sneak under his glove, allowing three runners to score.
A sacrifice fly and passed ball later in the inning plated two more runs.
Navy got its only run of the day in the bottom of the third inning when Dave Milanes drove in Alex Azor with a double to left field.
Milanes (2-for-4) and Azor (2-for-3) both recorded multiple hits on Wednesday.
Delaware State (24-24) starting pitcher Ryan Haas scattered six hits in seven complete innings of work, and at one point retired eight consecutive hitters. Haas never allowed the Mids' offense to get going as he struck out four and walked just one in improving to 3-0 on the season.
The Hornets, which outhit Navy, 10-7, in the game, added a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth innings to make the final score, 14-1.
Stephen Geiss was the first of six Navy pitchers that saw action, and allowed five runs (three earned) off two hits in one and two-third innings to take the loss. Josh Elmore, Zach Sipe, Matt Jackson, Luke Roberts and Jordan Heller also made appearances on the mound for the Mids.
With the regular season now complete, Navy (29-21-1) will prepare for the Patriot League Tournament semifinals, which begin this weekend. The top-seeded Midshipmen will host fourth-seeded Bucknell in a best-of-three series, beginning with a doubleheader at 12 noon on Saturday at Max Bishop Stadium.
Notes...
• Dave Milanes extended his hitting streak to six games and drove in this team-leading 47th RBI of the season.
• Greg Dupell's triple in the eighth inning was Navy's 22nd of the season, which ties the fifth-highest single season total in program history.
