Air Force Academy
UNLV
Rebels Sweep Air Force
3/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 16, 2003
LAS VEGAS - Brent Johnson and Robert VanKirk each hit a home run for UNLV Sunday as the Rebels completed a three-game sweep over Air Force with a 7-3 victory at Earl Wilson Stadium. The Rebels improved to 16-7 overall, 3-0 in Mountain West Conference play. The Falcons, meanwhile, fell to 8-12, 0-6 in league play.
For the second game in a row, the Falcons put up a two-spot in the top of the first inning. Josh Phifer's triple plated Mike Rose, then Phifer scored on a single by Daniel Petro. Air Force starter Paul Vignola cruised through the first five innings, allowing just two hits before UNLV tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Johnson's one-out two-run homer tied the game, and Vignola was pulled from the game later in the inning.
The Rebels took the lead for good in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Peter White and an RBI single from Johnson. Air Force responded with a run in the top of the eighth to cut the lead to 4-3 when Adam Howes scored, courtesy of a fielding error by the UNLV centerfielder.
UNLV put the game away in the bottom of the eighth. With one out and runners on first and second, Garett Shitanishi hit a grounder to Falcon shortstop Nelson Prouty, who stepped on second base and threw to first, where Shitanishi was called safe on the bang-bang play. Air Force head coach Reed Peters argued the close call and was subsequently ejected from the game. The next batter, VanKirk, made the score 7-3 with his three-run blast.
Rose and Petro each finished with three hits for the Falcons. Rose went 3-for-5 with a run scored, while Petro went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Jason Pruitt (0-2) picked up the loss for Air Force. He gave up two runs on two hits in one inning of work.
The Falcons play their first MWC games at home next weekend as they host San Diego State in a three-game series beginning Friday, March 21 at 2 p.m.
