KINSTON, N.C. – Senior Noah Song (Claremont, Calif.) was two strikeouts away from matching his career best after he struck out 14 batters on Friday night in Navy baseball's (1-3) 2-1 win over Air Force (2-3) during the first game of the Freedom Classic at Grainger Stadium.
 
To start the game, Song's (1-0) first 10 outs came via strikeout. He threw six innings and allowed just four hits and two walks without giving up a run for his second-straight start. Song's career high for strikeouts in a game is 16, which he set at the 2018 Freedom Classic against the Falcons.
 
"It was a big game for us today and we had to get a win," head coach Paul Kostacopoulos said after the opening game of the series. "Noah went out today and pitched like a big game pitcher to set the tone for us. Offensively, we were better tonight and put more pressure on them, but we left too many guys on base. We have to figure out a way to hit a little better in some spots, but I thought we grinded a little at the plate today and got in some deep counts, drew some walks and put the ball in play. We just have to find a way to get a couple big hits and I think that will come as the season goes on."
 
Navy got on the board first in the top of the first inning with a two-out rally. After Zach Biggers (Jr., Walhalla, S.C.) was hit by a pitch to start the game, the Falcons turned a double play to extinguish the leadoff baserunner. However, Christian Hodge (Sr., Winder, Ga.) started the rally with one of his three singles on the day and after Evan Lowery (Jr., Williamsburg, Va.) drew a walk, Ryan Duffey (So., Duxbury, Mass.) delivered a double to centerfield bringing in Hodge to push the Midshipmen ahead, 1-0.
 
In the third inning, Navy was able to double its lead without recording a hit. Tyler Mortenson hit the leadoff batter for the third-straight inning and Jacob Williamson (Jr., Sims, N.C.) swiped the Midshipmen's first base of the season to move into scoring position after being hit by a pitch. Following a pair of flyouts, another two-out run came around to score with Duffey at the plate after an errant throw from Tommy Gillman at shortstop allowed Williamson to come around to score from second base.
 
With Navy leading 2-0, Song was able to keep Air Force off the board in the home half of the third inning and strand three Falcons on base. Song found his rhythm and retired nine of the next 10 batters to close out his start.
 
After being shutout for the first six innings, Air Force was able to scratch home a run against the Navy bullpen. A leadoff walk surrendered by Jack Ferguson (So., Atlanta, Ga.) came around to the score in the bottom of the seventh inning to make it a one-run game. 
 
The Midshipmen tried to respond and extend their lead in the next half inning, but left the bases loaded following a trio of walks.
 
Still leading by a run heading into the final inning, Charlie Connolly (So., Wayne, Pa.) came into seal the game for Navy and struck out three batters in the ninth inning allowing just one hit as the Midshipmen earned a 2-1 victory during the first game of the Freedom Classic.
 
Connolly earned his first career save in the game, while Dalton Baker (Fr., Sebring, Fla.) tossed 1-2/3 innings allowing just two hits and no runs. Ferguson and Baker each recorded a strikeout out of the bullpen for the Midshipmen.
 
Mortenson (0-2) suffered the loss after throwing five innings and allowing two runs – one earned – on six hits. Luke Chilcutt threw the final four innings out of the bullpen and gave up just two hits while posting five strikeouts. 
 
Game two of the Freedom Classic is set to begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon from Grainger Stadium in Kinston, N.C.