March 15, 2002
San Diego - San Diego State scored a pair of runs in the second inning, and pitchers Chris Dunwell and Royce Ring made them stand up as the Aztecs defeated Air force, 2-1, Friday evening at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The contest was the Mountain West Conference season opener for both squads.
Dunwell (3-2) went eight innings allowing only one run on a pair of hits while striking out six. The victory was his third straight as he lowered his earned run average to 2.63.
Ring struck out the side in the ninth to record his eighth save of the season. It was also the 17th career save for the junior left-hander and gives him a share of the SDSU record of 17 held by Mark Williamson (1981-82).
San Diego State (17-7, 1-0 MWC) scored its two runs on consecutive singles by Josh Hill, Taber Lee and Josh Allen to load the bases with one out. Riley Barrett knocked in the first run with a fielder's choice that force Allen at second. Anthony Gwynn then singled up the middle to drive in the second run.
Air Force (12-9, 0-1 MWC) got its run in the fourth on a leadoff double by center fielder Nick Liegl. A fielder's choice advanced him to third, and he scored on a sacrifice fly to off the bat of Josh Phifer.
The Falcon's only other threat of the night came in the eighth when they put two men on with two outs, but Dunwell induced pinch hitter Brian LaBasco to hit a fly ball to center field to retire the side.
Air Force starting pitcher Matt Kaercher (3-4) went to the distance, suffering his fourth loss of the season. He allowed just seven hits on the night, with four of those coming in the second inning.
Shortstop Taber Lee was the lone Aztecs to record more than one hit with a pair of singles, a run scored and a walk in four plate appearances.
The Aztecs and Falcons continue their three-game series on Saturday (March 16) with a game set for a 6:00 p.m. start at Tony Gwynn Stadium. That contest can be heard live on the Internet at www.goaztecs.com.
San Diego State 2, Air Force 1AFA 000 100 000 - 1 2 1SDS 020 000 00x - 2 7 0Dunwell, Ring (9) and AllenKaercher and PetroW - Dunwell (3-2)L - Kaercher (3-4)Sv - Ring (8)HR - NoneTime - 2:25Att. 616