Through three Freedom Classic series and 10 total games since 2011, Navy and Air Force are knotted at five wins apiece.
After splitting Sunday’s doubleheaders — and the third annual series — the two conclude what coaches call, “where it should have been.”
“If you look at the quality of play over the last three days (Air Force and Navy) were very similar in regards to their actions, in regards to the score and very similar now in regards to the (record),” Falcons Coach Mike Kazlausky said. “(The Freedom Classic) is the high of our season coming out here.”
Navy (4-4) took the series two games to one in 2011 and Air Force (2-6) returned the favor at the second annual event. This year Navy won Game 1 by a score of 3-1 and the third game 3-2. Air Force won Saturday night’s contest 8-7 and Sunday’s late game 13-3. The 10-run win matches the Classic’s largest margin of victory — a 13-3 victory by Navy in the rubber match of the inaugural Freedom Classic.
Navy coach Paul Kostacopoulos agreed the service academies similarities helps add to the competitiveness of the games at Grainger Stadium.
“Once in a while a game is going to get away from you,” Kostacopoulos said of the 10-run loss. “But overall the numbers bear out (for competitive games). We get a lot of the same kids — that’s got to be a great student, who wants to serve (his country) and who can play baseball.”
Both coaches agreed Kinston creates a special atmosphere for the players who will eventually wear a uniform for their country.
“This is an unbelievable venue,” Kazlausky said. “The community really supports us … the way the boys are treated (at the Freedom Classic) is the way they deserve to be treated, because they are going to do so many great things for our country, which is the most important piece of why we are here.”
Kinston-Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Department Director Bill Ellis said he is working to secure a fourth annual event for 2014. Something both coaches say they look forward too.
“It’s always tough to schedule collegiate games with conference changes,” Ellis said. “It makes it a challenge but we’re going to try to make it happen.”
Game 3: Navy 3, Air Force 2
What started as a defensive battle ended with a bench clearing collision at the plate and the Naval Academy coming away with a 3-2 win.
Trailing 1-0 in the seventh and final inning of the day’s first game, the Middies loaded the bases with a pair of two out singles. With Navy’s Brandon Beans on first and two runners ahead of him, Falcons catcher Garrett Custons attempted to catch the right fielder off guard, but over threw the bag.
The errant throw, which was slowed by standing water on the first-base-side warning track, travelled far enough to allow Brad Borosak and Dylan Wheeler to score.
Beans, who reached home safely from first, was called out after failing to slide at the plate. The collision between Custons and Beans elicited a few shoves before both benches cleared and quickly separated the players. Beans was ruled out for baserunner interference, but the Mids held onto a two-run lead going into the bottom of the seventh.
Custons, who led off the seventh for Air Force, doubled and scored from third on a Alex Bast sacrifice fly. The Midshipmen scored a lone run in the bottom of the inning but it was all the offense the Falcons could muster in falling to a 2-1 deficit in the four-game series.
Anthony Parenti didn’t give up an earned run and struck out nine over six innings of work, while earning the win for Navy. Steven Trojan (one earned run and seven strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings) started the game for Air Force. Ben Yokley was charged with the loss, giving up two runs during his one out appearance.
Navy was led at the plate by Borosak (2-for-3, RBI). Custons had two hits on four plate appearances and Bast had the Falcons lone RBI.
Game 4: Air Force 13, Navy 3
Air Force chased three Midshipmen pitchers during the fourth inning, amassing six runs on three hits and four walks on its way to win in Game 4.
The Falcons scored a pair of runs in the first and third innings before exploding on the Navy pitching staff while extending the lead. All six of the runs were earned during the frame.
After running starter Luke Gillingham from the mound without recording an out, both Dallas Redden and Jake Coffey were also unable to pick up an out, giving up two and three runs respectively.
Navy picked up two runs in the seventh inning on an error and a pair of two out hits but could not cut into the Falcons’ 11 runs any more than that.
Defensively, Air Force pitcher and game winner Alex Baker gave up just two runs on four hits during seven innings. The two runs were unearned and he struck out 10 Midshipmen batters.
Falcons outfielder Alex Bast finished the game batting 4-for-5 with a pair of RBIs. He hit a solo shot in the fifth inning, his first of the season and the Falcons second of the year. David Baska hit a go-ahead — and eventual game winning — homer in the final frame of Game 2 Saturday night.
Craig Veech (1-3) had two RBIs for Navy. Gillingham recorded the loss.