Ready Breaks Home Run Record in 5-4 Win at New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Air Force Academy baseball team took the opening game of a crucial Mountain West Conference series over New Mexico, 5-4, Friday evening, May 3, at Santa Ana Star Field. Senior Nic Ready had a key two run home run, which was the 47^th of his career to break the school record.

Ready's two run homer was part of a two hit day, which included a double. He is now just two hits away from the program record as well. His 10^th homer of the season broke the record set by Steve Saleck set back in 1980.

AF 5, NM 1 | Mid 8

Here it is, home run #47 of Nic Ready's career to set the program record! We lead it by four here in the eighth#LetsFly pic.twitter.com/ayoySLheRa
— Air Force Baseball (@AF_Baseball) May 4, 2019

Junior Ashton Easley also had a two hit game, including a home run and double, and two RBIs. Senior Gabe Martinez added a solo home run, while senior Drew Wiss had two hits, two steals, and two runs scored.

On the mound, senior Jake Gilbert won his sixth game of the season after going the first six innings, allowing just one run while striking out four. He lowered his ERA to 1.93 over 60 innings. In relief, freshman Nathan Price went the final three innings to earn his fourth save. He allowed three runs, all unearned, while striking out three. His ERA is now at 2.01 over 52 innings.

New Mexico struck first with a run in the first, but Gilbert settled in from there to keep it 1-0 into the fourth. In the top of the fourth, Easley had an opposite field homer to tie it up. In the top of the fifth, Martinez added a solo homer of his own to give AF its first lead, 2-1, at the midway point.

Air Force scored for the third straight inning in the top of the sixth as Wiss led off with a single, stole two bases, and was driven in on a double from Easley, making it 3-1 into the seventh. That's when Price took over, and continued where Gilbert led off, firing a scoreless inning.

In the top of the eighth, Ready blasted a two run, two out homer to right field to set the record and extend the lead to 5-1 into the bottom of the eighth. There, NM answered with a pair of unearned runs to make it 5-3 into the ninth.

After a scoreless top of the ninth, Price returned to the hill. After a run scored on a single and error, Price struck out the final batter he faced to lock down the three inning save.

The Falcons and Lobos return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon, May 4, for game two of the series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. MT.

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