April 10, 2010
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - San Diego State built a big lead midway through the game and fended off a late comeback attempt as it defeated Air Force, 16-9, Saturday afternoon at Falcon Field in Colorado Springs. The win was the fourth straight for the Aztecs, who improved to 14-17 overall and 3-5 in the Mountain West Conference.
For the second day in a row, all nine SDSU starters recorded at least one hit led by Brandon Meredith who finished with three singles, two doubles and four runs scored in six plate appearances. Fellow Aztecs Chris Wilson and Matt Parker recorded two hits apiece with Wilson (two doubles) logging a season-high five RBI.
San Diego State got off to a quick start with two runs in the first on a two-run single by Ryan O'Sullivan. It marked the sixth consecutive contest in which the Aztecs have scored in the opening frame. An RBI single by Mitch Blackburn in the second staked SDSU to a 3-0 lead, an advantage it doubled in the next inning when Wilson's bases-loaded double drove in three runs.
The Aztecs took control of the contest in the fifth when they sent 13 men to the plate and scored eight times to increase their lead to 14-1. Those runs came on four hits, five walks and an error with Meredith recording a single and double during the rally. It also meant the end of the afternoon for Falcon starting pitcher Kincaid Koehler (1-4), who allowed 10 runs on eight hits and five walks over his four innings.
SDSU freshman starter Bryan Crabb was the beneficiary of the run support provided by his teammates as he would pick up the win to even his record at 3-3. Crabb kept the Air Force bats under control as he gave up just two runs on seven hits and struck out four over the first seven innings before departing with a 16-2 lead.
The Falcons (7-23, 1-6 MWC) mounted a comeback effort of sorts in the bottom of the eighth, scoring seven unearned runs off a pair of SDSU relievers courtesy of four hits, three walks, a hit batter and a pair of Aztec miscues. Junior lefty Ryan Wynveen came on to pitch and he ended the Air Force threat before retiring the side in order in the bottom of the ninth to secure the victory.
San Diego State and Air Force will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday with a contest scheduled for a noon (MT) start in Colorado Springs.