Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Army*
Zach Allen's One-Hitter Highlights Bucknell's Split With Army
4/20/2003 8:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 20, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Senior Zach Allen tossed an impressive one-hit shutout in a 9-0 Bucknell victory over Army at Bucknell Field Sunday, but the Black Knights (12-18-1, PL 7-9) shocked the Bison (20-11, PL 11-5) in game two with a three-run comeback in the top of the seventh to win 7-6.
Despite the disappointing loss in the nightcap, Bucknell maintained its one-game lead over Navy in the Patriot League standings with four games to play. The Midshipmen split a doubleheader with Lafayette on Sunday.
Allen's gem marked the fourth time in BU history a Bison pitcher has thrown a one-hit game. He was just six outs away from a no-hitter.
With Allen's impressive pitching and flawless defense behind him, the Bison came out on top in game one. The senior pitcher allowed Army's only hit of the game in the sixth inning, a leadoff single by Rob Smith. The right-handed hurler struck out six Army batters and improved his season record to 5-2.
The Bison managed to grab nine hits off a trio of Black Knight pitchers, Wes Bumgardner, Jason Mulligan and Monte Jones. Bucknell took the lead in the first inning after Ben Stoll began the game with a double down the left line. Brian Hirschberg was walked and then stole second. Ben Krentzman hit into a two-run single, sending both Stoll and Hirschberg home to give the Bison a 2-0 lead.
Bucknell added two more runs to the board in the third inning after Sam Moss singled to the left side and moved to second after Day walked. Hirschberg shattered a double into center field, plating Moss for the 3-0 lead. Kyle Walter later beat out a potential double-play grounder, allowing Day to score.
In the fourth inning, Phil Bunting dropped an infield single between the mound and first base. Steve Stutzman then doubled to deep center, scoring Bunting. Stoll then singled to the infield and advanced to second on a throwing error by Mulligan, sending Stutzman home.
In the fifth, Ben Krentzman reached first base after getting hit-by-pitch for the second time in the game. Walter jumped on base on an error by second baseman John Hill. After a balk and a pitching change, Matt Capece singled to right field, plating Krentzman to make it 5-0. Walter then scored on a Stoll's sacrifice fly, and later Day walked with the bases full to force home Capece.
Army's lone rally came in the sixth when the Black Knights placed runners at first and second with one out, but the Herd ended the threat with an exciting double play. On a 2-2 pitch, Allen caught Josh Holden looking and catcher Phil Bunting nailed Smith attempting to steal third.
Stoll and Moss collected two hits apiece for the Bison in the opener.
Bucknell was not as fortunate in game two, as Walker Gorham touched the Herd's terrific rookie closer, Phil Futrick, for a dramatic two-out, three-run homer in the top of the seventh.
The Orange and Blue began on the right foot with three runs in the first inning. Stoll began game two just like he did the opener, with another double down the left field line. Moss followed Stoll with an RBI single and advanced to second on an overthrow by Army starting pitcher Wade Greenlee. Hirschberg later smashed a triple to deep right field, scoring Moss for a 2-0 lead, and Krentzman's sac fly made it 3-0.
In the third inning, the Black Knights tied the game at three on Nate Stone's sac fly and a two-run double by Schuyler Williamson.
Stoll began the bottom of the third with his third double of the day. Moss moved Stoll to third with a sacrifice bunt, tying the school record for career sacrifice hits with 14. Pete Wolf followed with an RBI single to give the Bison a 4-3 lead.
Moss led off the fifth with a home run over the center field wall to give the Bison a two-run lead, 5-3.
Army used a pair of two-out doubles to reduce its deficit to 5-4 in the sixth, but Futrick, the Bucknell and Patriot League record holder for saves in a season, came on to retire the side. Bucknell grabbed an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on Bunting's sacrifice fly.
In the decisive top of the seventh, Holden led off with a single, but Futrick induced Stone into a 6-4-3 double play. With two outs and no one on base, Bumgardner singled through the middle and Williamson walked. Gorham then played the role of hero for Army by belting the first pitch he saw from Futrick well over the right field wall.
Futrick, who had been a perfect 9-for-9 in save chances, received his first loss of the season after the Bison were retired in order in the bottom of the seventh.
The Bison are scheduled to play Penn State in University Park, Pa., on Tuesday, April 22 at 4 p.m. Bucknell will host Towson on Wednesday, April 23. The game against the Tigers is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
