ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Interstat) — Matt Archibald dominated on the mound with 12 strikeouts over seven strong innings, and the Navy offense capitalized on Lafayette mistakes to pull away for a 7-1 victory in the first game of a Saturday doubleheader at Max Bishop Stadium.

The win improved Navy to 21-13 overall, while Lafayette fell to 7-24.

Archibald set the tone early for the Midshipmen. After surrendering a solo home run to Lafayette leadoff hitter Liam Ebbs on the game’s second pitch, the right-hander locked in. He allowed just four hits and one walk, retiring 10 consecutive batters at one point and repeatedly working out of minimal trouble. Lafayette managed only two runners to reach second base against him after the first inning.

Navy immediately answered Ebbs’ homer in the bottom of the first when cleanup hitter C. Klug launched a solo shot down the right field line to tie the game. The Midshipmen then took the lead for good in the second inning without a hit. John Hooten walked, stole second and third, and scored on a sacrifice fly by T. Cripe.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded in the bottom of the third inning, turning a close contest into a comfortable Navy lead. With Lafayette starter Alex Payne still on the mound, Victor Izquierdo singled and Evan Brown reached on a fielder’s choice, with Izquierdo advancing to second on a throwing error by the pitcher. A walk loaded the bases, prompting a pitching change.

Reliever Kellen Moore entered for Lafayette and immediately hit Hooten with a pitch, forcing in an unearned run. Will Howard followed with another sacrifice fly, scoring Brown to make it 4-1. Both runs in the inning were unearned, a result of the earlier error.

Navy broke the game open in the fourth. After two walks and a stolen base put runners in scoring position, designated hitter Patrick Walsh delivered the key blow, a two-run double down the left field line to extend the lead to 6-1. The Midshipmen added a final unearned run in the sixth when Klug singled, stole third, and scored on a throwing error by the Lafayette catcher.

Lafayette’s offense, outside of Ebbs’ early homer, was stifled by Archibald and stifled itself. The Leopards struck out 12 times, had a runner caught stealing, and hit into a double play. They put two runners on with no outs in the fifth but failed to score, and left a runner on third in the sixth.

Izquierdo led Navy’s seven-hit attack, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Walsh drove in two runs without an official at-bat, drawing three walks and his crucial double. For Lafayette, Boden Fernsl had two of the team’s four hits, both singles.

The game was the opener of a three-game Patriot League series between the teams. Navy defeated Lafayette 9-1 in the series opener on Friday. The doubleheader was scheduled to conclude with a second game on Saturday afternoon.