Falcons win home opener as darkness suspends Game Two

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.- After falling behind 3-0 going into the 4th, Air Force reeled off seven unanswered runs en route to a 7-3 win over Nevada in the Falcons home and Mountain West opener.

Zach Argo collected his first win of 2022, tossing two scoreless innings after entering in the 7th. Paul Skenes lasted a season-high six innings in his third start of the season, and by definition, a quality start it was. The sophomore allowed three earned runs, surrendering five hits while striking out four to go with three walks. All three of Skenes' runs were allowed in the top of the 4th.

The Falcons lineup came out of its slumber, as Air Force totaled a season-best 12 hits. Blake Covin led the Falcons with three RBI, as the junior finished 2-5 including a double. Sam Kulasingam drove in two runs after finishing 1-3 on the day with a double. Aerik Joe set a new career-high in hits, as he went 3-4 at the plate with three singles and a run batted in. Braydon Altorfer's 4th inning solo home run was his first of the new campaign.

A scoreless game through the first three innings, Nevada created some momentary momentum in the 4th. After a long at-bat, Tyler Bosetti lined a solo shot over the high right field wall to give the Wolfpack a 1-0 lead. Two more hits later in the frame resulted in two more runs, with Nevada leading 3-0 going into the bottom half of the 4th. Altorfer's solo blast in the 4th and Kulasingam's RBI double in the 5th trimmed the Nevada to lead 3-2, though it was in the 7th where the Falcons made a move.

Pinch-hitter Jake Greiving led off the inning with a double off the right-center field wall, putting the tying run at second with no outs. Joe dropped down a perfectly placed bunt single to advance Jason Booker to third, who pinch-ran for Greiving. Trayden Tamiya then reached after a hit-by-pitch to give Air Force a bases-loaded situation with still no outs. Stepping to the plate, Covin launched a high, drifting fly ball over the left fielder's head, scoring a run to to tie the game at 3-3. Kulasingam followed Covin with a grounder to the right side to score the go-ahead run.

In the 8th, the Falcons added some insurance. Following singles by Booker and Jay Thomason, Joe plated a run on a fielder's choice before Covin drove a double into right-center to score two more.

Leading 7-3 going into the 9th, Kyle Moats began the inning, though after hitting a batter and walking the next, he was pulled for Doyle Gehring. Gehring wrapped up his third save of the season, inducing a pair of fly ball outs before striking out Tyler Bosetti the end the ballgame.

Air Force and Nevada played most of the second game of today's doubleheader, though play was suspended due to darkness in the bottom of the 8th with Nevada leading 18-10. The two teams will resume Game Two at 11 am MT on Saturday, March 5, with Game Three scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.

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