10-Run Fourth Powers Army in Nightcap versus Penn

Friday, March 18

Philadelphia, PA

4 PM

Army West Point

11-11

Penn

8-5

Army

Penn

10-Run Fourth Powers Army in Nightcap versus Penn

March 18, 2016 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Army West Point softball team downed Penn 13-0 in Friday's nightcap. The Black Knights defeated the Quakers 13-0 in five innings fueled by a 10-run fourth inning after falling to Penn 8-4 earlier this evening.

This was the Black Knights' fourth shutout of the season and third when winning pitcher, Kristen West, was the ace. The last time the Cadets tallied 13 runs was last season when they defeated Boston University 13-10. Tonight's game was also the largest winning margin since Army defeated St. Peter's 21-2 in 2012.

"Game one was relatively even until one big blow against us," said head coach Michelle DePolo. "You've got to tip your hat to Penn, they fought through some pitches to get runners on base and then made the most of their opportunities late in the game.

"Our resiliency as a team is unmatched. Even in game one we gave up some runs on some untimely mistakes then bounced right back to grab those two back. The response from game one to game two was just another testament to our overall resiliency."

After today's split, the Cadets improved to 12-11 on the season to maintain their winning record. Kasey McCravey notched a grand slam, while Emily Gray recorded a home run both in the second game, their firsts of the season.

"The last thing we talked about after game one was that the most important thing we could do was respond in a positive, aggressive manner in game two," DePolo added. "I could not be more pleased with their response and their belief in themselves. This park is pretty home run friendly so it was anticipated there might be a little more long ball action than we've experienced thus far."

In the nightcap, the Black Knights jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first fueled by Gray's two-run homer. Ashley Yoo made it on base from a walk and Gray's home run over the centerfield fence sent the pair around the bases.

The teams were scoreless for the next two innings until Gray scored on an RBI single from Gladys Esparza-Gallegos who hit the ball past the first basemen down the right field line. This improved Army's lead to 3-0 at the top of the third.

The Cadets blew open the top of the fourth inning and scored 10 runs on five hits to put the game out of reach for the Quakers (8-6). Army tallied its final four runs of the game off a grand slam by McCravey who sent Sam Hartman, Nena Riccoboni, Kristen McPeek and herself home. Penn was denied a rally even after getting into scoring position.

West earned her eighth win from the circle on the season and her third shutout by allowing two hits and striking out one player. McCravey and Gray both had four RBI in the second contest, and Esparza-Gallegos led the team with three hits.

During game one, the Black Knights led 4-2 in the top of the sixth. Mae Wadyka and Yoo scored in the top of the third, while McPeek and Gray tallied runs in the sixth off an error by the Quakers.

In the home half of the sixth however, Penn scored six runs fueled by a grand slam by Petroski and a two-run homer by Allen. The Quakers claimed an 8-4 lead which Army was not able to overcome.

Army will be back in action Saturday for a doubleheader opposite Rider. The games are slated for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. from Lawrencevill, N.J.

Rider leads the all-time series with the Cadets, 13-12-1, which dates back to Army's inaugural season in 1979. The Black Knights are currently on a four-game winning streak over the Broncs. Rider is now 1-14 and picked up its first win after defeating Bucknell 1-0.

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