Air Force Academy
Northern Colo
UNC Comes From Behind for 8-5 Win
4/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 29, 2003
Northern Colorado overcame a five-run deficit by scoring eight times in the fourth inning to defeat Air Force, 8-5, in a non-conference college baseball game Tuesday, April 29, at Jackson Field in Greeley.
UNC extended its home winning streak to 14 games and improved to 31-15 overall. Air Force fell to 13-29 overall and lost three of the four games to the Bears this season.
Air Force scored twice in the second on a two-run double by Adam Howes. The Falcons added one in the third when Mike Rose walked, stole second and scored on Ryan Fitzgerald's sacrifice fly. The Falcons added two more in the fourth to lead 5-0. Nelson Prouty led off the inning with a double and scored on Howes' single. Howes came around to score on Dan Petro's ground out to the shortstop.
But AFA would commit three costly errors in the bottom of the fourth inning that led to seven unearned runs and the eventual loss. The second batter of the inning, Trevor Allen, reached base on a throwing error by Bowie Frost. The third batter, Brad Baker, singled and advanced on an error by centerfielder Rose. Zach Brockman had an RBI single and then Chad Clark reached base on an error by second baseman Zach McAngus. But the big blow came from Shane Roberts who blasted a grand slam home run to left center that gave UNC a 7-5 advantage.
That's all the run support the UNC staff would need as Air Force managed only two hits in the next two innings. The Falcons were batting in the top of the seventh when lightning hit the area and eventually brought rain and hail. After a 45-minute delay the game was finally called.
In relief, John Costanzo (1-0) picked up his first victory of the season, pitching the final two innings and allowing only two hits.
Air Force's Jason Brown (1-2) took the loss, allowing eight runs in 3.2 innings of work, but only one of them was earned.
The Falcons return to Mountain West Conference play with a three-game series against New Mexico, May 2-4, at Falcon Field.
--30--
