CAPE SAINT CLAIRE, Md. (Interstat) — Navy used a six-run second inning and a timely two-run single from Tyler Cripe in the sixth to secure a 7-4 victory over Army in the first game of a Patriot League doubleheader Sunday at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium.

The Midshipmen improved to 30-17 overall, while the Black Knights fell to 28-18.

Army jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Navy answered immediately. Kevin Reavey, who started for Army, allowed seven earned runs on no hits over six innings with three strikeouts, though the stat line reflected an unusual performance. The Midshipmen bats went to work in the bottom of the second.

Navy’s Andrew Manning led off with a triple to left-center, then scored on a groundout by W. Howard. Victor Izquierdo walked and later crossed on Cripe’s single to right. With two outs, Chris Klug singled to shortstop, driving in Noah Stead and knotting the game at 4-4. Klug stole second but was left stranded.

Army reclaimed a brief lead in the top of the third. Josiah Overb walked, Chris Barr doubled and Thomas Schre reached on a two-base error by Navy second baseman, scoring Overb. William Parker doubled down the third-base line to drive in Barr, and Carter Hewitt lifted a sacrifice fly to right, scoring Schre with an unearned run to put Army ahead 4-0 – though the scoreboard already read 4-0 after the first inning. The Black Knights’ four-run first came without any detailed play-by-play, but the early cushion evaporated in the second.

The game remained 4-4 until the bottom of the fourth. Noah Stead doubled to center, advanced to third on a lineout by Cripe and scored on Klug’s sacrifice fly to right, giving Navy a 5-4 lead.

Army tied it again in the top of the fifth. Parker reached on a fielder’s choice, and Hewitt doubled to right-center to score him, making it 5-5. But Navy’s Tyler Grenn settled in after that, finishing with six innings pitched, six hits allowed, three earned runs and two strikeouts.

The decisive moment came in the bottom of the sixth. J. Hooten was hit by a pitch, stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Stead walked and stole second. Cripe then singled through the right side, driving in both Hooten and Stead to put Navy ahead 7-5. The two-run single capped a 3-for-4 afternoon for Cripe, who drove in three runs and also stole a base.

Navy closer Aidan Healy pitched the seventh, allowing one hit and striking out two to seal the win.

Cripe entered the game in a mild slump, having gone 0-for-1 against Army on Saturday and 1-for-6 in the previous meeting. His performance Sunday provided a needed boost for the Midshipmen.

Army’s Hewitt went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Chris Barr, William Parker and Mason Scott each had one hit. Navy’s Klug drove in two runs on a sacrifice fly and a single.

The teams were scheduled to play the second game of the doubleheader later Sunday.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected Army with a 56.30 percent probability to win the game.