Falcons Bounce Back With 5-3 Win in Series Finale at SJSU

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Air Force Academy baseball team rebounded with a 5-3 win over San Jose State in the series finale Sunday afternoon, March 10, at Municipal Stadium. The Falcons used a three run ninth inning to sprint past the Spartans and avoid the weekend series sweep.

Air Force (7-5, 2-2 MW) collected 12 hits on the day, led by a three-hit effort from junior Ashton Easley, including an RBI. Senior Nic Ready had another two hit day, including a double, while senior Gabe Martinez had two crucial RBIs in the ninth inning on a two-run single.

On the mound, senior Ethan Nichols earned a no decision after going the first six innings, only allowing two runs on three hits with two strikeouts. Freshman Nathan Price earned the win in relief after tossing the final three frames, giving up just one run on three hits. The victory moved the rookie's record to 3-0 to start the season with a miniscule 1.46 ERA over 12.1 innings.

The Spartans (9-6, 3-3 MW) struck first in the second inning, stealing a run away on a pick off, which allowed a runner on third to score. Following a scoreless third, AF knotted the score up at one in the fourth sacrifice fly from senior Rob Dau. Nichols tossed a scoreless bottom of the inning to keep it tied into the fifth.

Air Force took their first lead of the game in the sixth, as freshman Alexander Pup delivered with a two out RBI single, his second in as many games. Nichols then went three up, three down in the bottom of the sixth to preserve the lead into the final three innings.

Nichols ran into some trouble in the bottom of the seventh eventually being lifted for Price with two on and no outs. The Spartans wound up tying the game later on an RBI single, but Price was able to keep the game tied, thanks in part to a caught stealing at third from Dau.

After a quick eighth, the score remained tied at two into the ninth. The final frame was led off by sophomore Christian Gambale, and he singled, followed by a double from Ready to put two on with no outs. With the infield shifted in, Easley poked an RBI single through the gap on the right side of the infield, breaking the tie.

Following a steal from Easley, Martinez added the crucial insurance runs with a two-RBI single to left, making it 5-2 into the last of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, SJSU was able to cross one run across the plate, but Price locked up the win without any further damage.

The Falcons will return to the diamond this Tuesday, March 12, for a home contest against in-state rival Northern Colorado. First pitch against the Bears at Falcon Stadium is set for 2 p.m.

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