Black Knights Set for Three-Game Swing in South Carolina

Army West Point baseball is set for a busy weekend in the Palmetto State, participating in South Carolina’s Salute the Troops Weekend. The Black Knights will seize on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday, followed by a matchup against rival Air Force on Saturday, and concluding the trip with a contest at The Citadel on Sunday in Charleston.

Friday’s game against South Carolina is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. And will be streamed on SEC Network Plus. Sunday’s game at The Citadel will be available on ESPN+ at 1:00 p.m. Saturday’s 5:00 p.m. Contest versus Air Force will not be streamed.

2026 Season Outlook: A Blend of Experience and New Faces

The Army baseball team enters the 2026 season with a roster of 38 players, comprised of 25 returners and 13 freshmen. The team experienced a loss of 11 players to graduation following the 2025 season.

• Army returns seven of its top nine position players from last season.
• Coleson Titus and Justin Lehman are the two departing position player starters.
• RHP Andrew Berg returns as a starter from last season’s rotation.

Head coach Chris Tracz is in his fourth year leading the Black Knights, joined by associate head coach Mike Cole. John Sheehan returns for his third year as an assistant coach, and Dylan Hoy joins the staff for his first season after previously working with a Louisville team that reached the 2025 College World Series.

Key Storylines and Recent Performances

Army recently honored veterans during its opening weekend series against Clemson, participating in Clemson’s Heroes Weekend tradition. Players from both teams exchanged dog tags in an on-field ceremony to honor fallen service members.

Despite a strong start, Army fell to Clemson in the series. The Black Knights led 2-0 into the seventh inning of the series opener before Clemson rallied to win. Clemson ultimately won both games of Saturday’s doubleheader.

The upcoming game against South Carolina marks Army’s first contest against an SEC team since 2024, when they faced Georgia in the NCAA Athens Regional. Army last defeated a Power 4/5 conference opponent in 2022, with a victory over Pitt.

The Saturday matchup against Air Force will be for the Silver Star at Founders Park. Army has won four of its last seven games against the Falcons, but lost two of three in Colorado Springs last season. They won last season’s series finale against Air Force 16-5 and their single scheduled game in 2024 13-2.

Historic Matchup at The Citadel

Sunday’s game at The Citadel will be just the second meeting between the two programs, and the first since 1998.

RHP Andrew Berg was recognized with a 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League accolade. He started on the mound for Army on opening day, allowing just two earned runs and striking out four batters at Clemson.

Catcher Jack Quinlan hit .333 on opening weekend and was named to the Buster Posey Award Preseason Watch List, as well as the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.

Carter Hewitt has returned to the lineup after recovering from a torn labrum, batting .400 at Clemson with a pair of doubles.

Freshman David Dubrule made a strong debut, hitting .300 on opening weekend at third base. He is the younger brother of Army graduate Kevin Dubrule, who batted .405 with nine home runs in 2023.

Looking Ahead

Following the Salute the Troops Weekend, Army will travel to Charlotte for a three-game series against Queens.