April 21, 2006
• April 22-23 vs. Army Game Notes
• Navy Stats
• Army Stats
Game Information
Army (20-16-1, 5-7 Patriot League) at Navy (28-14-1, 6-6 Patriot League)
Saturday, April 22; 1 p.m. - Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium (1,500); Annapolis, Md.
Sunday, April 23; 12 p.m. - Oriole Park at Camden Yards (48,876); Baltimore, Md.
Television: CSTV (same day, tape delayed at 4 p.m.) for game one on Sunday - talent: Tom Hart and Kevin Stocker
Video: Navy All-Access (live) for Sunday's doubleheader
Radio: Navy All-Access (live) for game two on Saturday and Sunday's doubleheader - talent: Pete Medhurst and Joe Miller
Live Stats: GameTracker available for all four games on www.navysports.com
All-Time Series: Navy leads, 98-77
Last Year: Army won all four games (April 30-May 2, in West Point, N.Y.)
Army and Navy to Meet in Pivotal Four-Game Series This Weekend
With only three games separating first place from fifth place in the Patriot League in the penultimate league weekend, Navy (28-14-1, 6-6 PL) hosts Army (20-16-1, 5-7 PL) in a crucial showdown on Saturday and Sunday. Navy, fourth in the league, comes into the weekend on a two-game winning streak after defeating George Mason, 6-5, on Tuesday and Delaware State, 15-7, on Wednesday. The Black Knights, one game behind Navy for fifth in the league, make the trip down to Maryland riding a seven-game winning streak, holding the opposition to one run in six of those victories. In addition, this weekend's series will determine who wins the Star, which goes to the team who wins the four-game set. If the series splits at two games apiece, the Star goes to the winner of the first game.
Army/Navy Baseball in Oriole Park at Camden Yards on CSTV
This Sunday's doubleheader against Army will be played at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. In addition, the first game of doubleheader will broadcast on CSTV on a tape delayed same day basis at 4 p.m. The game will be re-broadcast on CSTV seven times during the following week. The games mark the first time a college baseball contest will be played at Camden Yards during its 15-year history. Since the series between the two teams began in 1901, the Midshipmen own a 98-77 (.560) all-time advantage over the Black Knights. Tickets for the Army/Navy doubleheader at Camden Yards are $7 for adults and $3 for children.
Navy All-Access to Broadcast Weekend Action
Three of this weekend's four games against Army will be broadcast live on Navy All-Access through www.navysports.com. Pete Medhurst and Joe Miller will serve as the talent during the audio broadcasts. Navy All-Access is a subscription service on www.navysports.com that offers subscribers access to numerous live and archived events for only $6.95 a month. Game two of Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's twinbill at Camden Yards will be audio broadcast live, while Sunday's doubleheader will be video broadcast live.
Turning It Around
Courtesy of a 28-14-1 record, the 2006 Midshipmen have won 16 more games than the 2005 Mids tallied with their 12-33-1 mark. The 16 victories above the previous year's total marks the largest improvement in Navy's 111-year program history. In addition, this year's record is 17.5 games ahead of last year's showing, which are only 6.5 games behind the greatest turnaround for any baseball program in NCAA history.
Most Victories Above Previous Year's Win Total
1. 16 2006 (28-14-1) vs. 2005 (12-33-1)
2. 10 1995 (34-20) vs. 1994 (24-18-1)
10 1985 (25-7-1) vs. 1984 (15-15)
10 1970 (20-7) vs. 1969 (10-9-1)
First-Year Success
Under the guidance of first-year head coach Paul Kostacopoulos, Navy has recorded 28 wins through its first-43 games. The 28 victories are the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history. Bob MacDonald picked up 24 wins in his first year at the helm of the baseball program in 1994, as that squad won the Patriot League Tournament and went on to compete in the NCAA Play-In series.
Most Victories by a First-Year Coach
1. 28 Paul Kostacopoulos, 2006
2. 24 Bob MacDonald, 1994
3. 21 Steve Whitmyer, 2001
4. 19 Joe Duff, 1962
14 Games Above .500
After taking both mid-week games earlier in the week, Navy heads into this weekend's series with Army 14 games over .500. This marks the most games over the .500 mark in more than 10 years, with the last occurrence coming in 1995 season, as the Mids finished the year with a 34-20 record following a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Over The .500 Mark All Year
Standing at 28-14-1 on the year, Navy has spent the entire season above the .500 mark. The last time the Midshipmen ended their campaign with a record at or above .500 came in 2000, when the Mids posted a 24-20-1 (.544) record. The last time a Navy squad spent the entire season above the .500 mark was 1983, as that team finished the year with a 31-10-1 mark.
What a Difference a Year Makes!
With their 28 wins, the 2006 Midshipmen have surpassed their win total of the previous two seasons combined. Navy has bettered its marks in nearly every statistical category from last year, highlighted by a 48-point improvement in batting average, an ERA more than two runs lower and a 22-point improvement in fielding percentage.
Navy in 2006 vs. Navy in 2005
Category 2006 Navy 2005 Navy
Record 28-14-1 12-33-1
Batting Average .295 .247
Runs Scored 255 172
Doubles 72 53
Triples 19 9
Home Runs 13 8
RBIs 220 133
Stolen Bases 90 76
Slugging Pct. .398 .311
On-Base Pct. .372 .310
ERA 4.17 6.38
Hits Allowed 393 537
Runs Allowed 208 349
Walks 131 139
Strikeouts 310 304
Opp. Average .274 .333
HR Allowed 14 29
Shutouts 2 2
Been Shutout 2 9
Fielding Percentage .960 .938
Errors 64 104
5-0 Start in Patriot League
Prior to a 5-0 loss at Lafayette on April 9, Navy recorded victories in its first-five league games tie for its best start in Patriot League history. The 1994 and 1995 teams hold the program record with five-consecutive wins to open Patriot League action. Both teams went on to win the Patriot League Tournament and compete in the NCAA Play-In series.
Most Consecutive Victories to Open Patriot League Play
1. 5 2006
5 1995
5 1994
4. 4 1999
Bust Out the Brooms
Navy's four-game sweep of Holy Cross on April 1-2 marked the first Patriot League sweep for the Midshipmen since April 22-23, 2000, against Holy Cross in Annapolis. In addition, the Midshipmen have recorded two road series sweeps this season. Navy scored 36 runs over three games to sweep UMES in Princess Anne, Md., on March 11-12. One month prior, the Midshipmen traveled down to Tallahassee, Fla., to take all three games from Florida A&M on Feb. 11-12. The last time Navy recorded a four-game Patriot League series sweep on the road came on April 29-30, 1995, at Holy Cross.
Navy in the National Rankings
In the NCAA's national statistics rankings that were released on Tuesday, Navy finds itself located in the top-50 of three team categories and four Midshipmen ranked in the top-100 of six individual categories. As a team, Navy ranks 19th in triples per game (0.46), 19th stolen bases per game (2.05), and 40th in strikeouts per nine innings (7.9). Mitch Harris leads the nation in victories (nine), ranks fifth in strikeouts per nine innings (13.1) and 51st in ERA (1.98). Jonathan Johnston ranks 12th in stolen bases per game (0.73), while Ryan Hefner is 25th in saves (seven) and Dominic Lopez is 38th in triples per game (0.13).
Home Sweet Home
Navy's 14 wins in Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium marks the largest home win total since the 2000 squad went 15-5 on their home field. The program record for most home victories is 20, set by the 1986 team. Last season, the Midshipmen went 4-14 on their home field.
22 Non-League Victories
Navy's 22 non-league victories in 2006 marks the highest win total in its program history. The previous record was held by the 1983 squad with their 18 non-EIBL victories. In addition, this season's 19 wins prior into Patriot League play were nearly double the amount of the previous record of 10 victories before the start of the Patriot League season in 1994.
Most Non-League Wins
1. 22 2006 (22-8-1)
2. 18 1983 (18-5-1)
3. 16 1982 (16-10)
16 1961 (16-1)
Most Wins Heading into Patriot League Play
1. 19 2006 (19-8-1)
2. 10 1994 (10-6)
3. 9 2000 (9-10-1)
9 1996 (9-14)
Harris Racking Up the K's and W's
Sophomore right-hander Mitch Harris (Mt. Holly, N.C.) moved into second on the Patriot League's single-season strikeout list and fifth on Navy's single-season list after striking out 11 on April 9 at Lafayette to push his total to 92. Harris' nine victories also ranks second in Navy history and fourth in Patriot League history. The sophomore's 13.01 strikeouts per nine innings is on pace to break the league record of 10.41 by Steve Reich from Army in 1993, while his 1.98 ERA ranks fourth in league history.
Patriot League Single-Season Strikeouts
1. 105 Scott Kozink, Navy, 1999
2. 92 Mitch Harris, Navy, 2006
3. 90 Nick Hill, Army, 2005
4. 88 Steve Reich, Army, 1993
Navy Single-Season Strikeouts
1. 141 Chuck Davis, 1960
2. 109 Chuck Davis, 1961
3. 105 Scott Kozink, 1999
4. 95 Chuck Davis, 1959
5. 92 Mitch Harris, 2006
Patriot League Single-Season Wins
1. 10 three times
4. 9 six times (last time: Mitch Harris, Navy, 2006)
Navy Single-Season Wins
1. 12 Chuck Davis, 1961
2. 9 seven times (last time: Mitch Harris, 2006)
Patriot League Single-Season ERA
1. 1.21 Nick Hill, Army, 2005
2. 1.82 Joe Maniscalco, Fordham, 1991
3. 1.91 David Leonard, Holy Cross, 1991
4. 1.98 Mitch Harris, Navy, 2006
Koessler Breaks Career Appearance Record
Senior left-hander Joe Koessler (Knoxville, Tenn.) owns Navy's career appearances record with 65 during his three-plus seasons at the Academy. Koessler broke the record previously held by David Lowe (58 appearances, 1987-90) with two strikeouts in one inning of relief against Georgetown on March 22.
Career Appearances Record
1. 65 Joe Koessler (2003-present)
2. 58 David Lowe (1987-90)
3. 55 Kevin Carlson (1994-96)
Hefner Breaks Saves Records
Senior southpaw closer Ryan Hefner (Creve Coeur, Ill.) picked up two saves during Navy's four-game sweep of Holy Cross on April 1-2 to break the single-season and career saves records. Hefner picked up his fifth save of 2006 in Navy's 4-2 win over the Crusaders on April 1. One day later, Hefner earned his seventh career save in a 7-5 win in the series finale against Holy Cross.
Navy Single-Season Saves
1. 8 Ryan Hefner, 2006
2. 4 Burgess Nichols, 2004
4 Bryan Koehler, 2002
4 Todd Bizba, 1985
Patriot League Single-Season Saves
1. 11 Phil Futrick, Bucknell, 2003
2. 9 Charlie Cucchiara, Fordham, 1995
3. 8 Ryan Hefner, Navy, 2006
8 Milan Dinga, Army, 2005
5. 7 Gregg Farmery, Bucknell, 2001
Navy Career Saves
1. 9 Ryan Hefner, 2003-present
2. 6 Brad Deafenbaugh, 1999-01
6 Todd Bizba, 1985-88
Patriot League Career Saves
7. 12 Eric Junge, Bucknell, 1996-99
8. 9 Ryan Hefner, Navy, 2003-present
9. 8 Dan Pluff, Army, 2003-present
10. 6 Brad Deafenbaugh, Navy, 1999-01
6 Kyle Collina, Lehigh, 2003-present
Bullpen Saving the Day
Thanks in large part to Ryan Hefner's program-record eight saves this season, Navy broke its program record for most saves in a season with 12. In addition to Hefner, Joe Koessler, Daniel Kovalcik, Mark McCoy and Matt White each have picked up a save.
Team Saves Record
1. 12 2006 (Hefner - 8, Koessler - 1, Kovalcik - 1, McCoy - 1, White - 1)
2. 8 2002
8 1991
Catcher Breaks Stolen Base Record
Senior catcher Jonathan Johnston (Hamilton Township, N.J.) broke Navy's single-season stolen base record with his three steals during a 15-7 win over Delaware State on April 19 to push his season total to 35. Johnston also moved into a tie for the third-highest single-season stolen base mark in Patriot League history with Shawn Harris from Fordham in 1994. The senior catcher also ranks 12th in the country with his 0.73 stolen bases per game.
Navy Single-Season Stolen Bases
1. 35 Jonathan Johnston, 2006
2. 32 John Cocca, 2002
3. 24 John Cocca, 2001
Patriot League Single-Season Stolen Bases
1. 51 Brian Sullivan, Fordham, 1991
2. 45 Shawn Harris, Fordham, 1993
3. 35 Jonathan Johnston, Navy, 2006
35 Shawn Harris, Fordham, 1994
5. 33 Santy Gallone, Fordham, 1991
Two Mids with 20 Steals
For only the second time in Navy's 111-year program history, the 2006 Mids boast two players with 20 or more stolen bases. Senior catcher Jonathan Johnston (Hamilton Township, N.J.) has stolen a program-record 35 bags this year and sophomore outfielder Renaldo Hollins (Virginia Beach, Va.) owns 20 stolen bases in 2006. The only other occurrence came in 2001, as John Cooca stole 24 bases and Brian Whitten swiped 20. In addition to Johnston and Hollins this year, senior outfielder Jared Munde (Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.) has 16 stolen bases this year. Never has there been a Navy team in program history that had three players with 20 or more stolen bases.
Midshipmen Active on the Basepaths
As a team, the Midshipmen have stolen 90 bases this year, ranking second in Navy's 111-year program history. The 2001 squad was successful in 112 of their 138 stolen base attempts to hold Navy's highest team total.
Team Single-Season Stolen Bases
1. 112 2001 (112-for-138)
2. 90 2006 (90-for-117)
3. 84 2002 (84-for-122)
4. 82 2003 (82-for-115)
Midshipmen in Close Games
The Midshipmen are 14-4 in games decided by two runs or less in 2006. Also, Navy's 10-3 record in one-run games marks a higher win total than the amount of one-run games played in 2005, as last year's team finished 3-4 in one-run contests.
Keep the Opposition Under Seven Runs
The Midshipmen are 25-5 this season when holding opponents to six or fewer runs, with 18 of those wins as a result of Navy pitching limiting the opposition to three or fewer runs. Last year, the Mids were 11-12 when yielding six or fewer runs.
Seven Innings to Navy's Liking in 2006
This season, Navy has posted a 10-3-1 record in seven-inning scheduled games. In 2005, the Midshipmen had very limited success in the short ball games, registering a 1-12 mark.
30 Home Contests in 2006
Navy's 2006 schedule features a 54-game slate, 30 of which are scheduled to be played at home. The 30 home games would set a program record for Navy. All but two of Navy's home games will be played at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium. The most home games played coming into this season are 24 by the 2004 squad.
Most Home Games
1. 30 2006 (weather permitting)
2. 24 2004 (11-13)
3. 23 1979 (15-8)
