LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell (8-16, 7-13 Patriot League) used a pair of crooked numbers in the fifth and seventh innings to separate itself from Navy (11-7, 6-7 Patriot League) and take the weekend series over the Midshipmen in a 10-3 contest on Sunday in Lewisburg, Pa.
 
Following a schedule change, Navy will now only have one midweek game this week and will host Coppin State on Wednesday night at 6 p.m.
 
Despite only pushing across three runs, the Midshipmen produced 12 hits but left 11 runners on base. Christian Policelli (Jr., Walkersville, Md.) finished with a game-high four hits for Navy and Dalton Jackson (Jr., Winchester, Va.) drove in two of the Midshipmen's three runs.
 
"We left seven runners on base through the first four innings and we just could not get the big hit," head coach Paul Kostacopoulos said. "We had a couple of chances against their starting pitcher to do some damage and we did not. Then, we had the five-run inning against us and that set the tone for the rest of the game.
 
"They are both swinging the bat well," Kostacopoulos commented about Policelli and Jackson. "It is good to see because they both work really hard and they continue to try and improve their games, so it is good to see them get some rewards for what they are doing."
 
Bucknell broke the scoreless affair in the bottom of the fourth inning behind a run on three hits. However, the Midshipmen bounced back with a run during its next at-bat. With two outs in the fifth inning, Policelli shot a single through the left side of the infield to bring home Zach Stevens (Jr., Lexington, Mass.) and knot the score at one run apiece.
 
The Bison's offense put up the first crooked number of the afternoon with a five-run fifth inning. Bucknell produced five hits and sent nine batters to the plate during the frame. The Bison tacked on another run in the sixth inning to grab a 7-1 lead over the Midshipmen.
 
Navy tried to work its way back into the game after Jackson delivered a two-out, two-RBI single after coming in to pinch-hit to pull the Midshipmen back within four runs. Bucknell extinguished Navy's attempt to come from behind again and it pushed across three more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to gain a 10-3 advantage late in the contest.
 
Both bullpens kept the offenses at ease over the final two stanzas as the Bison won the rubber match, 10-3, as the two teams have now split the six meetings against one another this spring.
 
Dalton Baker (Jr., Sebring, Fla.) suffered the loss for Navy after allowing five runs on seven hits in 1-1/3 innings. Jared Leins (Sr., Raleigh, N.C.) racked up four strikeouts in his 3-1/3-inning start where he allowed a run on two hits.
 
Graeme Carroll picked up the win after throwing three innings of relief and allowed three runs on five hits.
 
With the schedule change, the Midshipmen now begin a six-game homestand on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. against Coppin State for their lone midweek game of the upcoming week.