BALTIMORE, Md. – Despite rallying with three runs on four hits in the top of the seventh to cut the UMBC (12-12, 4-2 AEC) lead to just three runs, the Navy baseball team (10-15, 2-6 Patriot League) ultimately saw its bid for a comeback fall short in an 11-5 road loss to the Retrievers Tuesday.
 
The Navy offense, which tallied five runs on nine hits against UMBC pitching, was paced by Alex Smith (Jr., Laguna Hills, Calif.) who went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Logan Keller (So., Longwood, Fla.) added a 2-for-5 showing at the plate, while the duo of Christian Policelli (Sr., Walkersville, Md.) and Zach Stevens (Sr., Lexington, Mass.) each added a hit and an RBI.
 
Thomas Russell (Jr., Fairfax, Va.) took the loss in his fourth start of the season on Tuesday, allowing six runs, four being earned, on five hits while walking two batters and striking out three. Colin Smith (Jr., Wilmington, Del.) highlighted the Midshipmen pitching effort, allowing one run on one hit over two innings of relief.
 
"We scrapped for a few runs in the middle innings, and I think we made some strides in getting some new guys in there to see what they can do," said head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. "We've just got to keep going. It was really nice to see Colin Smith out there, he's been working on the side for the past couple of weeks. Ivan Aguirre went in there and handled things well. We're still trying to find some answers, but we want to make sure these games still have value as we go through with trying to evaluate our team."
 
UMBC opened the contest's scoring in the bottom of the second, taking a 2-0 lead on a two-out, two-RBI double from Matt Ryan against Russell. The lead would quickly expand to 5-0 in the home half of the third as the Retrievers posted an additional three runs on two hits, highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of Luke Johnson.
 
The Navy offense was able to break through in the top of the fourth, cutting the UMBC lead to 5-1 as Alex Smith sent a lined single to right-center field that brought home Stevens. The Midshipmen would have further opportunity in the inning, loading the bases with two outs. However, Retriever starting pitcher Joe Pucek was able to work out of the frame without further damage, maintaining UMBC's four-run lead.
 
On the back of the effort by Pucek in the top of the inning, the Retrievers took back a run in the home half of the frame as Drews Roberts lined an RBI double into the left-center field gap, prior to adding an additional score in the fifth to extend the UMBC advantage to six runs at 7-1.
 
After a scoreless sixth, three of the first four batters of the seventh reached base for the Midshipmen, including a pair of singles by Nick Burch (Jr., Hollywood, Md.) and Hudson Lehnertz (So., Santa Ana, Calif.) to load the bases without an out. Navy would take advantage of the bases-loaded opportunity, plating three runs on four hits. The rally included a run scoring on a balk, followed by an RBI single from Policelli and a sacrifice fly by Stevens, cutting the UMBC lead to just three at 7-4.
 
Despite the comeback attempt in the seventh by the Midshipmen, the Retrievers responded with an offensive surge of their own over the next two innings, combining to score four runs on four hits to take an 11-4 lead.
 
The Mids added a run in the ninth, as Zane Raba (So., San Antonio, Texas) scored on a throwing error after walking to lead off the inning, but UMBC reliever Reid Celata worked out of the frame without further damage, securing an 11-5 victory for the Retrievers.
 
Ian Diaz led the way for the UMBC offense, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and three runs scored, while Johnson added a 2-for-3 showing that included a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. Reliver Adam Schwartz (1-1) earned the win on the mound after pitching a scoreless inning in relief of Pucek, who allowed one run on four hits over four innings of work.
 
UP NEXT
Navy is scheduled to return to Patriot League play over the weekend, as it travels to Bethlehem for a doubleheader on Saturday against Lehigh, prior to a twin bill against Lafayette in Easton on Sunday.