CAPE SAINT CLAIRE, Md. (Interstat) — Matt Fitzgibbon and two relievers combined on a six-hit shutout over the final seven innings, and Saint Joseph’s pushed across a run in the 10th to edge Navy 3-2 in a nonconference baseball game Tuesday afternoon and evening at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium.

The Hawks, who won their fourth straight, improved to 12-9. The Midshipmen fell to 15-9.

In a game defined by pitching and defense, the decisive sequence came in the top of the 10th. With one out, Saint Joseph’s Cross singled to left off reliever Tyler Grenn. Gale followed by driving a double down the left-field line, scoring Cross from first base with what proved to be the winning run.

The run capped a tense contest that saw Saint Joseph’s strand multiple opportunities, grounding into two double plays, while Navy’s offense was stifled after the second inning.

Navy struck first in the bottom of the second against Saint Joseph’s starter Carson Magill. Ty DePerno singled, stole second and scored on a sharp single to left-center by Andrew Manning.

The Hawks answered immediately in the top of the third, capitalizing on a Navy error. Gale reached on a misplay by the third baseman, advanced to second on a walk, took third on a single and scored on a fielder’s choice grounder by Pagano.

Saint Joseph’s took a 2-1 lead later in the inning without a hit. In the top of the second, Janesko walked, stole third and scored on a wild pitch.

From there, the bullpens dominated. After Magill allowed one earned run over three innings, Fitzgibbon entered in the fourth and was brilliant. The right-hander pitched four perfect innings, striking out two, to earn the win. He has now thrown six consecutive scoreless innings over his last two appearances.

Navy’s Jackson Beattie matched Fitzgibbon with three perfect innings of relief, striking out three. Ian Brown started for the Midshipmen, allowing one earned run on three hits over four innings.

Sam Greer took over for Saint Joseph’s in the eighth and closed the door for the save, despite a nervy ninth inning. He allowed a one-out single to DePerno, who was replaced by pinch-runner Bouchard. Bouchard stole second and scored on Manning’s second RBI single of the game, cutting the deficit to one run. Greer retired the next two batters to end the threat and worked a clean 10th, stranding the tying run at second after a hit batter and a sacrifice bunt.

DePerno led Navy’s offense, going 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored. Manning drove in both Midshipmen runs.

The game defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose simulator had forecast an 8-5 Saint Joseph’s victory. The Hawks’ ELO win probability was 52.3%.

Saint Joseph’s opens a three-game Atlantic 10 series at Fordham on Friday. Navy travels to West Point for a three-game Patriot League series against Army, beginning Friday.