Box Score

LAKELAND, Fla. - Ryan Brenner stroked a two-run single to key a four-run seventh inning and Yale pushed across six runs in its final two plate appearances as the Bulldogs rallied to defeat Army 9-6, Sunday afternoon at Henley Field.

After squandering a 5-3 lead, the Black Knights placed the potential tying run at the plate in the top of the ninth inning, but Yale second baseman Gant Elmore's diving stop of a hot smash by Shaun Wixted helped keep Army from mounting a comeback in its final at-bat for the second day in a row.

Yale (5-2-1) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, touching Army starter Ben Koenigsfeld for three unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning. Stephen Miehls delivered the key blow, slapping a two-run triple to the gap in right-center field after a Black Knight fielding error prolonged the inning.

Army registered a pair of unearned tallies of its own against Yale starter Christopher O'Hare in the top of the third, then tied the score in the fifth on an RBI single by Joey Henshaw. The Black Knights grabbed their first lead of the contest in the top of the sixth when Wixted ripped a leadoff double and J.T. Watkins drew a one-out walk. After Zach Price walked to load the bases, Clint Moore smacked a clutch two-run double to left-center that provided Army with a 5-3 lead.

The Black Knights maintained that advantage entering the bottom of the seventh inning, but Yale reached Army reliever Steven Cummings for four runs on four hits to regain the advantage at 7-5. Brenner's two-run single to center tied the score, after Elmore slapped a leadoff single, Trey Rallis walked and Trygg Danforth singled to load the bases. Andrew Moore's RBI single down the right field line put the Bulldogs back in front, chasing Cummings from the game. A sacrifice fly by Zach Tobolowski off reliever Chris Simpkins stretched Yale's lead to 7-5.

Andy Megee's two-run homer off Army reliever Will Haga in the eighth extended Yale's lead to 9-5.

Army (5-3) did not go away quietly in the ninth, loading the bases after Kevin McKague and Henshaw were hit by pitches and Koenigsfeld singled to right. But Elmore turned Wixted's sharp grounder that appeared ticketed for right field into a 4-6 forceout for the second out of the inning, limiting the damage the Black Knights would inflict. A run scored on the play, but Greg Lyons retired pinch-hitter Colby Smith on a fielder's choice grounder one batter later to end the game.

Koenigsfeld turned in a strong performance on the mound for the Black Knights, permitting just five hits and three unearned runs over six innings of work. He struck out nine and walked only one, departing the game with a 5-3 lead in hand. After yielding those three unearned runs in the second, Koenigsfeld allowed just two Bulldog base runners to reach scoring position (and four to reach base) before he left the contest after six innings. Cummings (0-1) suffered the loss for Army, allowing four runs on four hits in one-third of an inning.

Lyons earned the win out of the Yale bullpen, permitting just one run on four hits over 3.2 innings of work. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Henshaw, Wixted, Watkins and Cody Murtle registered two hits each for Army, which outhit Yale 12-11.

"It was a disappointing day for us on the diamond," said Army head coach Joe Sottolano. "We had an outstanding pitching performance from Ben Koenigsfeld and a few offensive bright spots, but we still have not been able to play consistently.

"Mentally, we have a lot of work to do. We must have consistent toughness, both offensively and defensively, to achieve the goals we set at the beginning of the year. I truly believe that toughness is within our players, but we must find a way to get it out of each and every one of them. Until we find that formula, we're going to remain an inconsistent team."

Army returns to action on Monday night when it travels to Gainesville to battle eighth-ranked Florida. First pitch at McKethan Stadium is slated for 6:30 p.m.

Black Knights Blog: Sunday marked the first time Army and Yale met on the baseball diamond since the teams last shared membership in the Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League in 1992 ... Ben Koenigsfeld has struck out 22 and walked only two across 17.1 innings of work ... he lowered his earned run average to 1.56 on Sunday and stands 2-0 on the season ... Shaun Wixted registered two hits for the fifth straight game ... he has collected two hits in six of the seven games in which he has received plate appearances this season ... Wixted received just five at-bats last season ... he drew his first career start in right field and only second in the outfield on Sunday ... Army last battled Florida in 2004 ... the Black Knights posted their only victory in five series meetings that year, winning 9-5.