Air Force Splits Friday Doubleheader At Southern Utah

March 6, 2009

ST. GEORGE, Utah - The Air Force baseball team split a doubleheader with Southern Utah Friday at Dixie High School's Flyer Field. The Falcons took game one 11-6, while the Thunderbirds took game two, 7-6. The Falcons moved to 4-4 on the season with the split, while the Thunderbirds are now 6-6.

In game one, Air Force rallied from an early 4-2 deficit with five runs in the fifth and four in the seventh to win 11-6. Sophomore Parker Mayo hit a three-run homer in the fifth to break a 4-4 tie.

Senior Jake Petro (1-1) picked up hits first win of the season, pitching 5.2 innings, allowing five runs, just one earned, while striking out five. Sophomore Brad Pingel picked up the save by pitching the final 1.1 innings.

The Falcons racked up 12 hits in the game. Nathan Carter had three hits in the game, with Daniel Waker and Jack Lupo adding two hits each.

Southern Utah starter Steve Johnson (2-1) took the loss, allowing seven runs in five innings. The Thunderbirds had six hits in the game.

In game two, the Falcons tried to rally from a 7-2 deficit, but came up short by a run. Trailing 7-4, headed into the ninth inning, the Falcons plated two runs and threatened to tie the game with the bases loaded and one out. Southern Utah was able to get out the game by inducing a game-ending double play to eke out the win.

Falcon starter Alex Truesdale (2-1) was roughed up for seven runs in 3.2 innings pitched. Truesdale surrendered a run in the first inning, snapping his scoreless pitching streak of 20.2 innings. It was also the first time in nine starts that he failed to pitch into the eighth inning. Senior Jason Griggs pitched 4.1 scoreless innings in relief of Truesdale, scattering five hits.

Air Force had 10 hits in the game. Walker led the Falcons, going 3-for-4 with a double and RBI. Southern Utah racked up 15 hits in the game. Nick Freitas led the way for SUU, going 3-for-4. Keli'i Zablan also homered for the Thunderbirds.

Friday's games were slated to be played at Thunderbird Park in Cedar City, but were moved to St. George due to inclement weather.

The two teams wrap-up the four-game series with a Saturday doubleheader. The twinbill is slated to be played at Thunderbird Park in Cedar City, but if inclement weather continues, the games could be moved to Flyer Field in St. George.

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