The Orange and Blue (4-7 PL) defeated Army West Point (5-2 PL) in both games in a double-header on March 31, with final scores of 4-1 and 5-1. However, in the third game, Army managed to notch a win with a score of 7-4 on April 1.

Behind Connor Van Hoose’s ’18 career-high 14 strikeouts, the Bison were able to handle the Black Knights with ease in the first game of the series. The defense stood strong, as Army had no answer for Van Hoose and Nate Grisius ’20 on the mound, who combined for 16 strikeouts. With the standout performance, Van Hoose moved up to the number three all-time spot in program history with 187 strikeouts.

Even with Van Hoose’s standout pitching, Army managed to hang around for the first six innings due to a stagnant Bison offense. However, Miles Moore ’19 answered the call in the top of the sixth with a three-run homer to put the Bison in a comfortable spot for the rest of the game. The Bison finished game one with four runs on five hits, while Army only recorded one run on one hit. Van Hoose showed that he was able to perform to the highest standard against a team he had played just a week prior.

“Because we played Army in back-to-back weeks, I knew what to expect,” Van Hoose said. “I wanted this game after a tough 1-0 loss the previous weekend, and I knew if I kept them to one run again, my offense would be able to get me a win.”

Game two proved to be another dominant showing for the pitchers of the Bison. Jeff Gottesman ’19 started the first seven innings, recording six strikeouts. Hunter Robichaux ’19 came in to relieve Gottesman and produced the final six outs and his first save. Despite only one hit through the third inning, the Bison saw themselves up 3-0 after a series of walks. They then later recorded two runs to add on to the lead behind RBIs from Evan Klugerman ’19 and Luke Hartman ’19.

In the third game of the series, the Black Knights turned the tables on the Bison. Army was up early, but behind RBIs from Luke Johnson ’18 and Tyler Wincig ’20, the score was evened at 2-2 in the third inning. However, behind stellar offense, the Black Knights shot up 6-3, carried by a strong on-base percentage. From there, the Orange and Blue had one final shot in the ninth to rally, but the deficit was too much to overcome.

The Bison continue Patriot League play on April 7-8, when they host Lafayette for a three-game homestand.