WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Kevin McKague went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three runs batted in, then came on to toss a perfect ninth inning to earn a save on the pitcher's mound as Army defeated Wake Forest 5-2, Saturday night at Gene Hooks Field at Wake Forest Baseball Park.
Ben Koenigsfeld pitched into the sixth inning for the Black Knights, who closed out their three-game swing to the state of North Carolina with a 2-1 record, splitting two games against Atlantic Coast Conference member Wake Forest and topping preseason Atlantic 10 Conference champion Dayton.
Army (2-1) broke through first on Saturday, scoring two runs in the top of the second inning against Wake Forest starter Brandon Johnson. Joey Henshaw slapped a leadoff single to left and McKague followed with a two-run homer to center field. McKague accounted for the Black Knights' third run as well, ripping his second round-tripper of the game and third in two days. His opposite-field, solo blast to right field in the top of the fourth inning provided Army with a 3-0 advantage. Koenigsfeld then doubled to right-center field and scored on a single by J.T. Watkins, increasing the Black Knights' cushion to 4-0.
Wake Forest (2-1) responded with two runs in its share of the frame as Mac Williamson and Austin Stadler launched back-to-back home runs with two outs in the bottom of the fourth. But the Demon Deacons would not score again as Steve Cummings relieved Koenigsfeld with one out in the sixth inning and proceeded to shut down the hosts on one hit over his 2.2-inning stint.
Army added an insurance run in the top of the ninth as Koenigsfeld drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt. After Watkins was hit by a pitch, Cody Murtle singled to right center to drive in Koenigsfeld.
Murtle went 2-for-4 for the Black Knights, while J.T. Watkins registered an RBI.
Koenigsfeld (1-0) earned the victory for the Black Knights, pitching 5.1 strong innings. He allowed two runs on nine hits, while striking out five and not permitting a walk. Cummings pitched extremely well in relief for the Black Knights, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings. He yielded just one hit, while fanning four and walking one before turning things over to McKague in the ninth.
Thanks to that stellar bullpen work by the Black Knights, Wake Forest was able to generate little offense over the final five frames. The Deacs managed just two hits after the fourth and were set down in order in both the eighth and the ninth.
Johnson (0-1) surrendered four runs on five hits in four innings of action to suffer the loss for Wake Forest. He struck out four and did not walk a batter.
"This was a very valuable weekend for us," explained Army head coach Joe Sottolano. "We saw three different types of games. In one, we played at a very high level in all aspects (Army's win over Dayton); in another, we didn't play well at all (yesterday's loss to Wake Forest); in the third, we did not play our best but we still found a way to win.
"We learned a lot of things that we need to work on. It showed us how good we can be, but also what can happen when we don't play very well. We're looking forward to getting back in the gym and sharing some sweat together as we continue to improve."
Army returns to action next weekend when it travels to Maryland-Baltimore County for a three-game series.
Black Knights Blog: Kevin McKague registered his second career two-home run affair ... he blasted a pair of round-trippers to lead a victory over Navy last season ... McKague now has 12 career homers ... he went 7-for-14 with three home runs, three runs scored and five runs batted in to lead Army's offense during the three-game set ... McKague is already halfway to his season home run total from a year ago when he finished with six round-trippers ... he also notched his ninth career save on Saturday ... both teams registered 10 hits on Saturday ... Steve Cummings permitted just two base runners during his 2.2-inning showing out of Army's bullpen ... he fell two strikeouts shy of his career best ... Saturday's victory marked Army's second over a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference in three outings ... the Black Knights defeated Boston College in an elimination game at the Austin Regional last June ... at 2-1, Army is off to its best start since recording three straight victories to open its 1989 campaign ... the Black Knights defeated James Madison, Florida International and Georgetown to begin that year en route to a 22-18 showing.
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