ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Despite sophomore Tyler Grenn allowing just three hits in his second-straight complete game, the Navy baseball team (24-18, 14-9 PL) could not figure out Justin Lehman of Army (24-17, 13-6 PL) on Friday evening, as the Black Knights defeated the Midshipmen, 1-0, in the opening game of the 2024 Star Series at Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field.
 
Part of the all-sport Army-Navy Star Series presented by USAA, Friday's series opener saw Grenn and Lehman both go the distance and surrender just three hits apiece in a sub-two-hour pitchers' duel, with the game's lone run coming on Coleson Titus' RBI safety-squeeze bunt.
 
The first three innings were highlighted by multiple high-end defensive plays from each team. Back-to-back hits with one out from senior Hudson Lehnertz and sophomore Brock Murtha put a runner in scoring position in the top of the first, but a double play ended the threat while Murtha returned the favor in the bottom of the inning when he snared a line drive and doubled up the runner at first.
 
Army then turned double plays in the second and third innings as well, but Navy got more defensive gems with sophomore Mac McCommons catching a runner stealing in the second and senior Logan Keller making a ranging snag and throw in the third inning.
 
The Black Knights got the game's only run in the fifth, as William Parker walked to start the frame and moved to third on Sam Ruta's single, then racing home when Titus laid down his bunt, but Grenn stopped the rally at that by getting three outs to strand runners at second and third. The Navy righty then stranded a runner at third in the sixth, while the Mids put a runner on third in the eighth inning when senior Eduardo Diaz doubled down the line and moved up on a groundout, but Lehman then got a pop-out to keep the Black Knight in front.
 
Continuing to battle, Navy brought the winning run to the plate in the ninth after Murtha waited out a two-out walk, but Lehman got the next batter to fly out to the warning track to end the game.
 
Grenn finished with one run and four walks allowed in the complete-game losing decision, matching his career high with eight innings pitched, while Lehman notched his fifth win by pitching a complete-game shutout that featured eight strikeouts to three walks.
 
Coach Chuck Ristano Comments
"These were two really good teams going toe-to-toe and they made the most of their opportunity. It was a championship-level ballgame that we came up just one swing short. We could not have asked for any more from Grenn and our defense. On the offensive side, we just couldn't get any momentum to create any offensive pressure. We have to made some adjustments, but you also have to credit their pitcher and defense who were outstanding as well. We will be ready to go tomorrow."
 
Game Notes
• Friday's result brought the all-time series between Navy and Army even at 130-130.
• Grenn's back-to-back complete games are the first for a Navy pitcher since Noah Song's complete games on April 20 and 27, 2019.
• Diaz extended his on-base streak to 16 games, while Lehnertz improved his on-base streak to 12 contests.
 
Up Next
Navy and Army continue the Star Series at 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.