WEST POINT, N.Y. – No. 1 Army West Point used a 10-run third inning and a eight-run seventh inning to defeat No. 2 Bucknell, 20-5, in game one of the 2023 Patriot League Championship Series at Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field. 
 
The Black Knights 10-run third inning tied the Patriot League Championship record, set when Lehigh scored 10 runs in the first inning against Lafayette on May 11, 2002. Reigning Patriot League Championship MVP Sam Ruta highlighted the Black Knights’ record-tying half-inning with a grand slam amid a 3-for-6, five-RBI, three-run performance. Patriot League Player and Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Dubrule went 3-for-5 with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs scored.
 
Bucknell junior left fielder Jacob Corson went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored, while sophomore third baseman Sean Keys went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer and two walks.
 
For more information on the 2023 Patriot League Baseball Championship, visit CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL.
 
No. 2 Bucknell at No. 1 Army West Point (Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field/West Point, N.Y.)

Date	Game	Time/Result	Coverage
Sunday, May 21	Championship Series – Bucknell at Army West Point	Army, 20-5	ESPN+
Monday, May 22	Championship Series – Bucknell at Army West Point	1 p.m.	ESPN+
Tuesday, May 23	Championship Series – Bucknell at Army West Point (if necessary)	1 p.m.	ESPN+

 
2023 Patriot League Baseball Championship – Championship Series
At NO. 1 ARMY WEST POINT BLACK KNIGHTS (37-16, 21-4 PL) 20, NO. 2 BUCKNELL BISON (23-22-1, 14-11 PL) 5
Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field/West Point, N.Y.                                               1 p.m. (ESPN+)
BOX SCORE
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Top-seeded Army West Point used a championship record-tying 10-run third inning to outslug No. 2 Bucknell in an 20-5 victory in game one of the 2023 Patriot League Baseball Championship Series at Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field.
*All nine starters in Army West Point’s lineup recorded at least one hit and one run in the fourth 20-run performance in Patriot League Championship history.
*Ruta went 3-for-6 with a grand slam, one double, three runs and five RBIs, while Dubrule went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and two runs.
*Four Black Knights drove in runs during the record-tying 10-run third inning, highlighted by Ruta’s grand slam to match a 2002 Lehigh squad that scored 10 runs in the first inning against Lafayette.
*Army West Point also added a seven-run seventh inning.
*Army junior RHP Matthew Ronnebaum earned the win, allowing five runs on nine hits over 5.2 innings while striking out six.
* Bucknell junior left fielder Jacob Corson went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored, while sophomore third baseman Sean Keys went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer and two walks.
*Senior LHP Chris DiFiore was charged with the loss, allowing seven runs on nine hits over 2.0 innings.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
*Bucknell got on the scoreboard first when junior left fielder Jacob Corson homered over the wall in right field.
 *The Black Knights answered in the second inning when junior centerfielder Braden Golinski hit a solo home run.
 *The Bison regained the lead at 3-1 in the top of the third on an RBI single from junior right fielder Grant Voytovich and a sacrifice fly by sophomore first baseman Tyler Dunn.
*Army exploded in the bottom of the third inning, as Dubrule’s two-run double started the scoring.
*Senior first baseman Ross Friedrick followed with an RBI single before freshman left fielder Addison Ainsworth drew a bases-loaded walk.
*Freshman Chris Barr kept the inning going with a two-run single, with Ruta delivering the grand slam two batters later to extend the lead to 11-3.
*Bucknell sophomore third baseman Sean Keys hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning to cut the deficit to six runs.
*Army’s offense continued to roll, as Ruta plated a run with a single before Dubrule’s two-run double. Freshman right fielder Ethan Ellis added a two-run single to left field before Ainsworth doubled to drive in another run. Ellis scored on Barr’s sacrifice fly, and Ainsworth scored when senior catcher Derek Berg reached on an error to cap a eight-run seventh inning.
*Army’s Friedrick hit a solo home run in the eighth inning to extend the lead to 20-5, helping the Black Knights reach 20 runs.
RECAPS: BUCKNELL | ARMY WEST POINT
 
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athlete can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.