Air Force Academy

April 22, 2009

Box Score
Tuesday, April 21, Photo Gallery

GREELEY, Colo. - The Air Force baseball team's three home runs lifted the Falcons to an 8-6 win at Northern Colorado Wednesday afternoon at Jackson Field. The win improved the Falcons to 13-24, while the Bears fell to 9-27.

Freshman Jack Lupo's solo home run in the eighth inning broke a 6-6 tie. Matt Alexander also connected for his 13th homer of the year and Ben Ausbun sparked a five-run first inning with a three-run homer.

The Air Force bullpen proved effective again, as four relievers combined to toss four scoreless innings. Senior Jake Petro (3-5) pitched 1.1 innings in relief to pick up the win. Freshman Aaron Kurcz pitched the final 1.1 innings of the game to pick up his second save in as many days and sixth on the season.

Junior Michael Ruvolo and freshman Andrew Loyd also pitched in relief for the Falcons. Air Force starter freshman Evan Abrecht went five innings, allowing six runs while striking out two.

Forbes Scott (1-2) took the loss in relief for Northern Colorado. Bear starter Joe Willman pitched six innings, surrendering six runs.

Air Force had 10 hits in the game. Nathan Carter, Alexander and Ausbun had two hits each for the Falcons. Alexander had two runs and two RBIs.

Air Force jumped ahead early with a five-run first. Northern Colorado then slowly chipped away at the lead, scoring two in the third, one in the fourth and fifth and two more in the sixth. Air Force plated a run in the sixth as well on Alexander's solo shot.

Leading 7-6, Air Force added an insurance run in the ninth on Addison Gentry's RBI triple that scored Carter.

Air Force returns to action Friday, April 24, beginning a crucial three-game Mountain West Conference series with UNLV. First pitch for the home game is at 2:30 at Falcon Field.