ANNAPOLIS – Navy rallied for three runs with two outs and the bases empty in the bottom of the ninth inning and outlasted UMBC, 10-9, in the opener for both teams in chilly, blustery conditions at Max Bishop Stadium.
The Mids' rally spoiled a four-run Retriever comeback in the top of the ninth, which turned a 7-5 deficit into a 9-7 lead.
UMBC graduate student second baseman
Myles Nicholson (Hagerstown, Md.) had put the Retrievers ahead with a two-RBI single to center field and freshman designated hitter
Jayden Shertel (Mays Landing, N.Y.) duplicated that feat to plate an insurance run.
Making his first appearance in black and gold, Nicholson went 3-for-4, scored three runs, drove in a pair of stole two bases. Shertel banged out four hits in six plate appearances and drove in three runs.
Sophomore starting right-hander
Luke Johnson (Lewes, Del.) gave UMBC five standout innings on the hill. He only allowed a pair of hits, one walk and fanned four.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Retrievers surged ahead with a two-run third. Nicholson drew a walk, stole second, and scored on Shertel's second hit in two at-bats, a single through the right side. Ian Diaz' single to right field advanced Shertel to third, where he scored on Trythall's sacrifice fly to left.
- UMBC left the bases loaded in the fifth inning and had stranded nine runners through five frames.
- Navy's first four batters reached in the sixth inning and the Mids scored four times to take a 4-2 lead.
- The first three Retrievers to bat in the top of the eighth walked and Shertel's infield single scored Charlton to cut the deficit to 4-3. Then Diaz was hit by a pitch to force in the tying run and Luke Trythall's (Poolesville, Md.) fielder's choice scored Nicholson with the go-ahead run.
- But UMBC's lead was short-lived, as Navy tied the game on failed pick-off attempt, then took a 7-5 lead on a two-run home run.
- The teams combined for seven runs in the ninth inning.
The two teams will play again on Saturday in Annapolis with a 1:00 p.m. start time.
