On the last play, Jon Crucitti struck out with two runners on – and both running on the pitch. Lead runner Michael Sands was caught between second and third, and third baseman Ryan LaGrange chased him back to second, where Grant Van Orden was already standing. LaGrange tagged Van Orden out, and Sands inexplicably broke for third, where LaGrange threw to catcher Drew Farber, who tagged him to complete the game-ending play.
Army ended up on the short end of the 9-5 loss and was eliminated from the tournament.
The Seahawks (38-22), who scored nine runs in the first four innings, got two RBIs each from Molinaro and Keeler. They will play Elon in an elimination game Sunday.
Army (29-23) had just seven hits, but a three-run sixth pulled the Black Knights within four at 9-5. They left the bases loaded in the eighth, then had two on in the ninth before their surprisingly bad execution on the base paths ended their season.
Seahawks coach Mark Scalf said he'd never before seen anything like the final play in his 22 years as head coach.
"I don't think we'll ever see it again," he said.
The Seahawks players were just as surprised at the chaotic ending.
"Bet you've never seen that before," right fielder Tyler Molinaro said. "I think everyone was yelling different things at the time. No one really knew what the situation was, but just wanted to run the runner back and collect an out.
"Luckily, we got three of them."
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