Falcons Fight to Take Game One, 14-9, Over New Mexico

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., - The Falcons (19-30, 11-14) came out fighting against New Mexico (28-19, 15-10) and claimed game one, 14-9, on Friday afternoon at Erdle Field. After Lieutenant Colonel retired Chris "Swiss" Cicere threw out the ceremonial first pitch, Air Force batters tallied 13 hits while the pitching staff struck out seven Lobos.

At the plate, Luke Elmore racked up a new career-high six RBIs with just one hit during the game. The sophomore recorded his fifth homer of the season, along with a trio of sacrifice flies. The catcher, Walker Zapp also had a day at the dish, as he finished 3-for-4 with four runs scored and four RBIs. Tripp Garrish batted 3-for-5 with a pair of RBIs.

Easton Miller took the start on the bump, his seventh of the season. The freshman threw one strikeout and allowed a trio of runs across 2.1 innings. Senior, Dylan Rogers took over in relief for 4.1 innings, where he struck out a pair of Lobos and gave up two earned runs. Sam Hentges logged two strikeouts and two runs given up in one inning on the mound. The pitcher of record, Charlie Russell improved to 1-1 after throwing a strikeout to end the top of the seventh. Joey Collier threw the final inning and ended the game with a strikeout.

Following two scoreless innings, New Mexico hopped on the board 4-0, in the top of the third.

Air Force answered with five runs off three hits to take the lead at 5-4 in the bottom of the same frame. After the lead-off man recorded an out, Cole Jenkins singled through the left side, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and was joined on base by a walked Chase Spencer. The pair of runners produced a double steal in time for a two-out, two RBI single from Zapp. Zach Peters drew a walk to reach base and pushed Spencer to second. On the first pitch of his at-bat, Elmore launched a three-run homer clear over the left field fence.

The Lobos leveled the board on an RBI single in the top of four, 5-5.

The home half of the fifth saw the Falcons pull back in front, 7-5. Zapp sent a double to the gap in left field and Peters reached on a fielding error by UNM's third baseman. The pair pulled off the Falcons' second double steal of the afternoon, enabling Zapp to score on a sacrifice fly from Elmore. The designated hitter, Garrish put a first pitch single through the right side to send Peters home.

Once again, New Mexico tied it up at 7-7 in the top of the seventh.

The Birds responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the stretch to climb ahead, 9-7. The lead-off man, Zapp drew a four-pitch walk and scored on a triple to the fence in left center by Peters. Elmore marked another sacrifice fly to score Peters.

In the top of the eighth inning, UNM evened the field at 9-9. Russell entered in relief and threw the final out to earn the win.

The Falcons posted a five-run bottom of eight to claim the final 14-9 win. After a Lobo pitching change, Jenkins was issued a walk and took second on a Spencer single. Christian Taylor laid down a bunt single to the pitcher, filling the bases with Birds. To send Jenkins and Spencer across home plate, Zapp recorded a single to left field. On a fly out from Peters, Taylor advanced to third on the throw, while Zapp took second on a defensive indifference. Elmore tallied his third sacrifice of the day, plating Peters and Garrish sent Zapp to score with a double. New Mexico opted for another pitching change and Air Force sent in pinch runner Kayden Bradshaw to handle the bases for Garrish. For the final run of the game, Alex Adams hit a double to right field that allowed Bradshaw to score.

Collier entered for the top of the ninth inning and went three up, three down with a strikeout to close the game.

The Falcons will face New Mexico in game two of the series on Saturday May 10 at 1 p.m. MT. Wings of Blue will perform a fly over during pregame at Erdle Field.

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.