KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Feb. 25, 2024) – The USMMA baseball team dropped both games of its doubleheader in Kings Point this afternoon against the Violets of New York University. In defeat, Merchant Marine fell to 1-2. With an 8-6 win in Game 1 and a 24-2 victory in Game 2, NYU improved to 4-0 on the young season.
 
Game Links

• Game 1 Box Score
• Game 2 Box Score 

Freshman Preston Plank (Flower Mound, Texas) made his first collegiate start in Game 1 and gave the Mariners four solid innings. Plank struck out four Violets and only walked one while allowing two earned runs. The first batter Plank faced as a Mariner was Harrison Blueweiss, who walked the plank by striking out on three pitches leading off the game.
 
Sophomore Ernest Darling (Highland, Ill.) led the way for USMMA's offense in Game 1 by going 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Trailing 8-1 in the seventh, Darling's two-run single ignited a Mariners' rally that fell just short. Merchant Marine got the tying run to second base despite trailing by seven earlier in the inning.
 
In Game 2, the Mariners hit their first triples of the season. Three-baggers by seniors Tyler Reistetter (Dickinson, Texas) and Bryce Garner (Fort Collins, Colo.) ignited a two-run third inning for USMMA. The Mariners are the two-time reigning NCAA Statistical Champions for triples as a team in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, Merchant Marine socked 32 triples while they drilled 31 three-baggers last season. USMMA also averaged .76 triples per game last season, tops in the NCAA.
 
The Mariners will look to get back in the win column on Saturday, March 2 when they host No. 25 Ithaca in a doubleheader at Bartoszek Field. First pitch of Saturday's twin-bill is scheduled for noon. Live links to follow along will be available on the USMMA Baseball Schedule Page.
 
Receive USMMA Baseball News Right To Your E-Mail!
If you would like to receive the latest news, including all press releases, for the USMMA baseball team (or any other team at the academy), sent directly to your e-mail, fill out this form.
 
Follow USMMA Athletics On Social Media!
Be sure to follow USMMA Athletics on social media to get up-to-the-minute updates on your favorite teams! Start following today on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!