Softball Takes Two over Yale Wednesday Night

Wednesday, April 6

West Point, NY

3 PM

Army West Point

21-13

Yale

9-18

Army

Yale

Softball Takes Two over Yale Wednesday Night

April 06, 2016 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

PHOTO GALLERY

WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Army West Point softball team picked up two more wins in a mid-week sweep over Yale Wednesday night. The Black Knights defeated the Bulldogs by scores of 6-1 and 2-1 which helped head coach Michelle DePolo reach the 200 career win milestone.

"The team has been hitting well all year and really helping their own cause on defense," said DePolo. "We have been doing a good job using all our tools to get us on base and around, whether it's just good hitting, slapping, bunting, or just punching a ball through the infield. Even game two wasn't as productive runs wise but we often put the ball in play hard and had runners on base. I feel like this team can achieve just about anything they set out to do"

The Black Knights blew the game open in the top of the second with five runs off of two home runs hit to the scoreboard.

With Gladys Esparza-Gallegos on first from a fielder's choice, Caroline Smith stroked a home run to left center giving Army a 2-0 lead with one out. Then, with two outs, Kasey McCravey knocked one out of the park driving in three runs as Kristen McPeek and Maddie Kim scored increasing the Black Knights' lead to 5-0.

Both teams scored in the third inning. The Cadets padded their lead at 6-0 when Emily Gray was driven in by Smith off a single up the middle. Yale's run was fueled by a double from pitcher Jerpbak bringing the score to 6-1. Neither team scored in the seventh allowing Army to clinch the win.

"Naturally from a games perspective it was great to get a big lead early," explained DePolo. "But, what meant more was that was something we had focused on as an intent for today's game when the team talked at lunchtime."

Smith served as the winning pitcher during the game and helped her own cause by going two-for-three adding three RBI, one stolen base and five strikeouts for the Black Knights. She improved to 7-7 on the year.

McCravey led the Cadets off in game two with a single to right field. She then stole second and third to set herself up to score. Then, a double up the middle by Rashenskas drove McCravey home to put Army up 1-0.

The next four innings were scoreless for both sides with just four hits for the Black Knights in the pitcher's duel. Poirier pitched a perfect game through six innings with no hits until late in the game.

Yale broke Poirier's no hitter in the bottom of the sixth when the Bulldogs knocked one deep to right field which tied the game at 1-1.

In their last at bat, the Cadets converted for a run with two outs on the board. McCravey tallied a double to center, just short of a home run. Mae Wadyka then hit a double to left advancing McCravey home to give the Black Knights a 2-1 advantage.

The Bulldogs were up to bat last and reached scoring position, but three outs by the Black Knights prevented the comeback.

Poirier finished with a career-high nine strikeouts through seven innings. The freshman moved to 4-5 on the year after allowing just three hits. McCravey finished the night with three runs, three hits and three RBI. Rashenskas had two hits and an RBI through the two games for Army, while Wadyka notched one RBI.

"I thought both Caroline and Renee gave us very strong pitching performances and we played great defense behind them," said DePolo. "Renee even had a nice no hitter going for most of the game."

The Black Knights will be back in action April 9-10 for a three-game series at Bucknell.

For up-to-date information about Army softball, please follow @ArmyWP_Softball on Twitter and Instagram.