Air Force Academy
Memphis
Falcons sneak by Memphis, 4-3
2/24/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 24, 2002
Air Force got three hits from Derck Kasel and solid pitching from Ken Hodgson, Scott Zicarelli and Paul Pratt Sunday to defeat Memphis, 4-3, in the consolation game at the Service Academies Classic in Millington, Tenn. The game was shortened to seven innings due to time restrictions.
The victory gave Air Force a 2-2 record at the Classic and a third-place finish. The Falcons are 8-6 overall this season. Memphis fell to 2-3 overall and placed fourth. Villanova and Navy play later Sunday in the championship game.
Air Force took an early 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Adam Howes singled and advanced to second on a ground out by Josh Phifer. Kasel drove in Howes with a single to center field.
Memphis took a 3-1 lead in the second inning with RBI doubles from Josh Payne and Michael Lewis and a balk by Hodgson, which allowed Lewis to score from third.
Air Force tied the score with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth. Third baseman Bowie Frost plated Josh Phifer with an RBI groundout, then Kasel, who had singled, scored on a wild pitch.
Hodgson lasted 3 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and he struck out three Tigers. Zicarelli pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief and gave up just two hits to gain his second victory of the season.
The Falcons took the lead for good in the top of the fifth as Howes delivered a two-out RBI single, scoring Daniel Petro, who led off the inning with a walk.
Pratt came in with two outs and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth and struck out Barrett Smith to preserve the Falcons' one-run advantage. He struck out James Rouse after Memphis put runners on first and third in the seventh to record the first save of his career.
Kasel and Phifer were named to the all-tournament team. Kasel, the junior infielder/designated hitter from Fort Collins, Colo., hit .667 (6-for-9) with three doubles and three RBI in three starts. He was also perfect in the field in 16 chances. Phifer, the junior outfielder from Torrington, Wyo., Hit .286 (4-for-14) with five runs scored, two doubles, four RBI, two stolen bases and a home run.
Air Force returns home for a three-game series next weekend against Dana College, Fri.-Sun., March 1-3.
