We've seen a lot of travel days in college sports, the endless bus rides, the airport scrambles, you know the drill. But what Army baseball just pulled off? That's a whole different ballgame.
This isn't your standard chartered flight, folks. We're talking a C-17 Globemaster III, a bona fide, heavy-duty military transport plane, hauling the Black Knights from Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York all the way to Colorado Springs for their series against Air Force.
Now, we know the NCAA travel rules. 400 miles or less, it's buses. Beyond that, commercial flights or chartered planes are the norm. And sure, the service academies, Army, Navy, and Air Force, they play by those rules too. But they've got that ace in the hole, that military fleet at their disposal. And this time, Army decided to play that card.
Think about it. While your average college team's dealing with cramped bus seats or trying to find overhead bin space, these guys are rolling in a C-17. A plane built for, well, a whole lot more than your typical baseball team. We're talking tanks, troops, you name it.
And the irony? This particular C-17? Belonging to the Air Force. You can't write this stuff. A little inter-service rivalry playing out even before the first pitch is thrown.
This is a stark reminder of the unique position these service academies hold in college sports. They've got resources most teams can only dream of. It's a logistical flex, a statement. And it's definitely going to be a talking point.
Now, about the games themselves. After that high-profile, high-flying arrival, Army faced a tough battle on the diamond. The series opened with a nail-biter, an 8-9 loss, a real heartbreaker. Game two saw Air Force's offense explode, resulting in a 7-14 defeat for the Black Knights. It looked like the travel, even in a C-17, might have taken its toll.
But Army wasn't about to go down without a fight. They came roaring back in the final game, delivering a dominant 16-5 victory, a statement win to close out the series. While they may have lost the series, that final game showed the grit and resilience we expect from these cadets.
So, while we're used to covering the grind of college sports travel, this one's a highlight reel moment. And while the series result was mixed, Army's travel and final game performance will be remembered.
