WEST POINT, N.Y. – The Columbia baseball team was topped, 8-7, by Army West Point Sunday night. Both teams met up after winning their conference tournaments and used the contest as an NCAA Tournament tune-up.
Anfernee Crompton put the Black Knights (36-22) in front with a solo homer in the bottom of the third. Army tacked on two more after a bunt single and an error set up a two-run triple from Josh White to make it 3-0. In the bottom of the fourth, a double by Drake Titus led to an RBI single from Jacob Hurtubise, extending the margin to four.
The Lions (20-28) put runners on in each of the first four innings, including a pair in the top of the fourth, but the Black Knights' staff was able to escape each situation without allowing a run. However, Columbia's offense finally broke through in the fifth and batted through the order to go in front, 6-4.
Jack Chernow and Ben Porter started things off with back-to-back singles and the bases were full after Randell Kanemaru drew a walk. Liam McGill put the Lions on the board with an opposite-field single to right and Chandler Bengtson cut the deficit to 4-3 with a two-run knock. Matt Cerfolio pulled another base hit to plate the tying and go-ahead runs with one out. After a single from Matt Karo and a walk by Chernow, the bases were loaded again and a walk gave Columbia an insurance tally.
An error on a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the inning proved costly as Army loaded the bases and a free pass cut the deficit to one. A double play made it 6-6 and a hit batter put runners on the corners. A wild pitch brought in Anthony Giachin to put the Black Knights back in front.
The Lions went right back to work in the top of the sixth, taking advantage of an error by Army to even things up again. Joe Engel's single advanced McGill to third and Cerfolio came through with a sacrifice fly to bring the score to 7-7.
Army's Trey Martin swung the momentum back to the Black Knights with a solo shot to start the bottom of the seventh.
Columbia put a runner on in the eighth, but the Black Knights turned to Cam Opp, who earned the win in the last meeting between the squads in April, and he retired all five batters he faced to earn the save.
Columbia will find out which NCAA Regional site they will be going to Monday, May 28 at 12 p.m. on The NCAA Baseball Tournament Selection Show, which will air live on ESPNU.
