Matthew Ronnenbaum delivered a sensational start to lift Army to a 3-0 shutout of archrival Navy and a sweep of the Patriot League Tournament championship series.
Ronnenbaum hurled a real gem Monday, limiting the Midshipmen to two hits through eight innings, while recording nine strikeouts. Tanner Gresham walked two batters and notched two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save.
Second baseman Chris Barr went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for Army (31-21), which captured its sixth straight Patriot League championship. Catcher Derek Berg, right fielder Addison Ainsworth and shortstop Thomas Schreck all scored runs for the Black Knights, who were also limited to two hits, but drew five walks.
Navy senior pitcher Matthew Shirah was charged with all three runs after allowing one hit and issuing all five walks. He had six strikeouts. Freshman Brady Bendik gave up just one hit through four innings to keep the Midshipmen in the game.
Navy center fielder Hudson Lehnertz and shortstop Eduardo Diaz both smacked doubles, but both were stranded.
Diaz hit two homers in Sunday’s opener but it wasn’t enough as Navy fell behind early and lost, 11-8. Army roughed up Navy starter Tyler Grenn for eight runs on seven hits and two walks.
William Parker and Braden Golinski both smacked homers for Army in Game 1. Derek Berg and Chris Barr, who bat one-two in the lineup, both totaled two hits, an RBI and a run scored.
Navy was making its 15th appearance in the Patriot League Tournament championship and seeking its seventh title. The Midshipmen have made the final six times since the current best-of-three format was implemented in 2008.
Navy (28-23) posted its first winning season since 2021 and matched its highest win total since 2019.
