Air Force Academy
Omaha
Air Force Downed By Omaha, 7-4
4/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Air Force baseball dropped a 7-4 non-conference contest against Omaha Tuesday afternoon at Werner Park in Papillion, Neb. The Falcons are now 20-17 on the season.
Omaha (20-20) raced out to a 7-0 lead and held off a late rally by the Falcons.
Air Force had 10 hits on the day, with center fielder Adam Groesbeck going 3-for-5 and third baseman Bradley Haslam going 2-for-5. Right fielder Spencer Draws added two RBIs on a double and shortstop Tyler Zabojnik also had an RBI single.
The Falcons used four freshmen on the mound. Tyler Mortenson (2-1) pitched three innings in the start, striking out two. Steven Plaskett, Sam Rexroad and Ethan Nichols finished out the game in relief. Nichols worked 3.1 innings, allowing just one unearned run.
The Mavericks plated runs in the first and third to go up 2-0. Two-run innings in the fourth and fifth pushed the Omaha lead up to 6-0.
After being held scoreless for the first six innings, the Falcons erupted for four runs in the seventh. Second baseman Shaun Mize came around to score on a base hit and error on pinch-hitter Justin Graham's hit. Draws then knocked in Groesbeck and pinch-runner Riley Nix on a double. Zabojnik capped the scoring with an RBI-single that scored Haslam.
The Mavericks tacked on a run in the bottom of the seventh.
Omaha had seven hits in the game, but drew 12 walks. Third baseman Clayton Taylor and catcher Collin Leif had two hits each. Starter Corey Binger (5-3) picked up the win with four scoreless innings pitched. Ryan Cate pitched 2.1 scoreless innings to close out the game for the save.
Air Force is slated to return to action tomorrow against Creighton. First pitch, at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, site of the NCAA Baseball College World Series, is 6 pm CT.
Bird Bites: Air Force and Omaha played the game at Werner Park, home of the Omaha Storm Chasers, the Triple-A minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals...junior catcher Jordan Hanlin appeared in his first game of the season for the Falcons in a reserve catching stint. Hanlin went 0-for-1 at the plate.
