April 26, 2003
Colorado Springs - Air Force senior Josh Zumbrun, making just his second career start, scattered seven hits and tossed a complete-game shutout as the Falcons defeated San Diego State, 3-0, in Colorado Springs Saturday afternoon. The win was Air Force's first conference win of the season as it improved to 13-26 overall and 1-18 in league play. The loss ended SDSU's four-game win streak as it fell to 20-24 on the year (12-8 MWC).
Zumbrun (2-1) kept the San Diego State hitters at bay all day with 16 Aztec outs coming on ground balls. He struck out three and stranded seven SDSU runners over nine innings. His effort overshadowed an impressive pitching performance from SDSU senior right-hander Joe Carque, who also went the distance, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out nine.
Air Force got on the board in their first at bat on one of the few mistakes made by Carque all day. After Adam Howes opened the inning with a walk, right fielder Mike Rose hit a long fly ball that hit off the top of the fence in center field and bounced over to give the home team a quick 2-0 lead.
Rose was a thorn in the Aztecs' side again in the third when he reached on a two-out single. He then stole second and advanced to third when Jordan Swaydan's throw sailed into center field. Catcher Daniel Petro followed with an RBI single to provide the Falcons with their third and final run.
That was all the scoring Zumbrun would need, as he got double plays in the seventh and eighth innings to erase Aztec threats, then got the final three outs in the ninth after SDSU had opened the frame with back-to-back singles.
Center fielder Anthony Gwynn was the lone Aztec with more than one hit on the day as he connected for a pair of singles to extend his team-best hitting streak to 13 games.
Air Force and San Diego State conclude their three-game series on Sunday (April 27) at 1:00 p.m. at Falcon Field. The game can be heard live on the Internet with Alan Horton's pregame how commencing 10 minutes prior to game time.
Air Force 3, San Diego State 0SDS 000 000 000 - 0 7 1AFA 201 000 00x - 3 3 0Carque and SwaydanZumbrun and PetroW - Zumbrun (2-1)L - Carque (4-3)Sv - NoneHR - NoneAtt. - 166Time - 1:59