Bucknell Baseball Edged by Navy in Pitchers' Duel, 3-1

Wednesday, April 17

Lewisburg, Pa.

3:30 P.M

Bucknell University

10-28, 0

Navy

29-12, 0

Navy

Bucknell

Photo by: Marc Hagemeier

Bucknell Baseball Edged by Navy in Pitchers' Duel, 3-1

4/17/2019 6:31:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Navy used strong pitching and defense and a key two-run homer from Liam Lowery on the way to a 3-1 victory over Bucknell in Patriot League baseball action on Wednesday at Depew Field. The loss spoiled an outstanding performance from the Bison bullpen, with three relievers combining for nine strikeouts in six scoreless innings.

Tommy Goodridge allowed a run on three hits over five innings in his first start of the season to pick up the win for the first-place Midshipmen (29-12, 14-4 Patriot League), and relievers Trent Topping and Trey Braithwaite kept the Bison hitless over the final four innings.

Bison starter Jack Simpson conceded a sacrifice fly to Evan Lowery in the second inning and an opposite-field, two-run homer to his brother Liam in the third. Bucknell's bullpen was terrific, however. Nate Grisius came on in the fourth and pitched two scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Nicholas Sadd followed with a scoreless sixth inning, and then Hunter Robichaux was filthy with six strikeouts over the final three innings.

Navy's infield defense was a major story in this one. Second baseman Zach Biggers made two tough plays ranging well to his left to field ground balls; third baseman Jacob Williamson saved a run and a potential big inning with a diving stop on a ball hit down the line; and after a leadoff walk in the seventh inning, shortstop Michael Coritz made a diving stop to smother Dominic Toso's hot smash up the middle, turning it into a 6-4-3 double play.

Bucknell's lone run came in the fifth. Trailing 3-0, Toso was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and then Alex Baumann laced a double to right field. After Goodridge picked up an out with a strikeout, Brendan Lowery laced a hard shot on the ground that seemed ticketed for the left-field corner, but Williamson dove to his right and then threw out Lowery by a stride at first base. Toso scored on the play, but Goodridge escaped further trouble by inducing an inning-ending fly out.

Jared Drizin and Tyler Wincig also notched base hits for the Bison (10-28, 3-15 PL), who hit the road for three games at Lehigh this weekend.

Gallery: (4/17/2019) Baseball vs. Navy