Skenes' brilliance, late offense fuel Falcons past Bulldogs

FRESNO, Calif.- Starter Paul Skenes didn't allow a run over six innings, while a four-run 5th guided Air Force over Fresno State to a 6-2 series opening win.

"Tonight's pitching matchup consisted of two of the top pitchers in the league, and both lived up to the hype" said head coach Mike Kazlausky. "We pitched well, played great defense, and got timely hitting. When you can do that, most times good things will happen."

Skenes battled Fresno State's Ixan Henderson, as the two sophomores entered Friday night with the top two K/9 rates in the Mountain West. Skenes held up his end of the bargain, allowing just three hits over six innings, while striking out three and walking one.

Henderson was a tough puzzle to solve, striking out 11 over seven innings, though a four-run Falcons 5th inning saw the tide turn in the visitor's favor.

Braydon Altorfer led off the inning with a walk, followed by a Jay Thomason single, as the Air Force third baseman was the only Falcons hitter with multiple hits. With runners on the corners, Chase Spencer, making his first start since March 19, laid down a bunt that was fielded by Henderson and abruptly thrown over the head of the second baseman covering the first base bag, allowing Altorfer to score.

With Thomason at third and Spencer at second, Aerik Joe was hit by the first pitch he saw, loading the bases. Trayden Tamiya, in a 0-2 count, lined a sacrifice fly into center field to extend the Air Force lead to 2-0.

Blake Covin followed Tamiya with another bunt, putting runners in scoring position with two outs. Sam Kulasingam, who came into Friday hitting .409 with two outs, lined a opposite field double into the right-center gap to score both Spencer and Joe, as the Falcons exited their half of the 5th with a 4-0 lead.

Zach Argo relieved Skenes in the 7th and was solid, allowing just one run over two innings to go with two strikeouts. His lone blemish, a solo home run in his opening inning of work, was initially viewed as a foul ball, though after discussion from the umpiring crew was ruled a home run. Coach Kaz argued the call on the field and was ejected from the game.

However, as the old saying goes, "Ball don't lie".

In the top of the 8th and one out, Gabriel Garcia and Jake Greiving launched back-to-back home runs to put the Falcons up 6-1.

Dylan Rogers entered the game in the 9th, and allowed a home run to open the inning, but retired the Bulldogs in order following the long ball to secure the 6-2 win.

Game Two between Air Force and Fresno State is scheduled for 7:00 pm MT on Saturday, April 2.

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