KINSTON, N.C. – Another early lead by the Falcons proved to be too much for the Midshipmen on the second day of the 2024 Freedom Classic, as the Navy baseball team (2-4) was shut out, 10-0, by Air Force (3-3) on Saturday afternoon in a run-rule-shortened game at historic Grainger Stadium.
 
Managing one hit in the seven-inning contest, Navy did see freshman Brady Bendik hold Air Force scoreless in his final two innings of relief while fellow rookie Rayne Fry struck out the side in his inning out of the bullpen. For the Falcons, both Chris Stallings and Jake Greiving finished with three RBI to provide offense for a pitching staff that combined for six strikeouts.
 
Air Force jumped out in the first inning when a Stallings RBI single was followed by sacrifice flies from Greiving and Chase Spencer. Navy tried to answer back in the bottom of the first when senior Logan Keller rached third base on a fielding error but was left stranded, while a single by Sam Kulasingam brought in another Air Force run during the second frame to make it 3-0.
 
The Falcons continued to add to their lead in the top of the third, as a Zach Peters single and Walker Zapp sacrifice fly both brought across a run each. Not finished yet, Air Force tacked on four more runs in the fourth inning thanks to a two-run single by Stallings and two-run home run off the bat of Greiving.
 
With Bendik and Fry holding the Falcons' bats at bay over the final three frames, the Mids were unable to muster enough offense to get a run across, with the run rule ending the game in the seventh inning.
 
Navy sophomore starter Jackson Beattie was handed the loss after allowing six runs on six hits in three innings, while Bendik was on the hook for four runs over his three frames despite striking out three Falcons and Fry allowed a leadoff walk before sitting down the next three batters he faced.
 
Getting the win, Dylan Rogers went three innings for Air Force, allowing one hit while punching out four. Jimmy Hebenstreit and Davis Rhyne both followed with two no-hit innings apiece to close out the victory, with each recording a strikeout.
 
Game Notes
• Saturday's contest evened the all-time series between Navy and Air Force at 32-32.
• The Falcons are now 19-17 all-time against the Mids in Kinston.
• Bendik's three innings marked a career high for the righty.
• Brock Murtha has now reached base safely in every game this season.
 
Up Next
Navy and Air Force will close out the Freedom Classic with a 12:30 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.