Air Force Splits A Pair Of Games In Charleston

March 26, 2009

Charleston Southern Box Score
Citadel Box Score

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Air Force baseball split a pair of non-conference road games Thursday, defeating Charleston Southern, 18-16, and falling at the Citadel, 5-2. The split moves the Falcons to 8-14 on the season. The Buccaneers fell to 10-14, while the Bulldogs improved to 11-9.

Air Force and Charleston Southern began play in the top of the fifth with the Falcons staking a 12-6 lead. The game was the completion of Feb. 28 doubleheader that was rained out after four innings.

In a wild offensive slugfest, where the two team combined for 43 hits and 34 runs, it was Air Force, which came out on top after failing to hold the 12-6 lead. After the Falcons extended its lead to 13-6 with a run in the top of the fifth, Charleston Southern scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to make it a 13-9 game.

Air Force added runs in the sixth and seventh innings to go up 15-9. The Buccaneers then responded with a six-run seventh to tie the game up. The Falcons then rallied with two runs in the eighth and one more in the ninth to hold on to the win.

Michael Ruvolo (2-0) picked up the win in relief. Aaron Kurcz picked up his fourth save of the season, pitching the final two innings. Falcon starter Evan Abrecht went three innings back in Feb., allowing six runs and striking out three.

Charleston Southern reliever Corey Deagan (0-1) took the loss. CSU starter Brandon Roberts surrendered seven runs in 1.2 innings pitched.

The Falcons had a season-high 22 hits in the game. Matt Alexander led the way, going 4-for-6 with a homer, four runs and five RBIs. Jack Lupo, Ben Ausbun and Daniel Walker had three hits each. Lupo scored three runs and stole a pair of bases as well. Air Force had eight extra base hits in the game.

Scotty Radabaugh went 5-for-6 with four runs to lead the Buccaneers. Kory Morian, Patrick Dolan, Nick Chinners and Blake Hunt homered for CSU.

In the Citadel game, the Air Force bats were held to seven hits in the loss. The Falcons did not score until the eighth inning, when a two-run rally pulled AFA to within a run, trailing 3-2. The Citadel put up two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to hold on to the win.

The loss spoiled a strong start by senior Casey Allen (0-2). Allen pitched 6.1 innings, allowing three runs while striking out three. Andrew Loyd and Kurcz pitched in relief for the Falcons.

Citadel starter Wes Wrenn (3-1) pitched 7.1 innings, holding AFA to two runs while striking out five. Drew Mahaffey pitched the final 1.2 innings to record his first save of the year.

Nathan Carter and Jon McMahon led the Falcons with two hits each. McMahon and Ben Ausbun scored Air Force's two runs. The Falcon defense had a solid game, posting its first errorless effort in 14 games.

The Bulldogs had 12 hits in the game. Nick Orvin led the way, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Trey Thomas also added a solo home run for the Citadel.

Air Force and the Citadel resume the four-game series tomorrow, March 27. Due to weather concerns, first pitch has been moved ahead to 2 p.m. from the original 6 p.m. start time.

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