Game 1 Box Score I Game 2 Box Score

USAF ACADEMY, Colo. --- The Air Force Falcons defeated the Portland Pilots 8-3 and 9-4 to sweep a non-conference double header at Falcon Field on Saturday afternoon. The Pilots will try to salvage a win in the four-game series during the finale on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

 

During the first game on Saturday, the Pilots (8-9) jumped out to a 3-0 lead by scoring a run in the second, third and fourth innings. Kramer Scott had an RBI single, Turner Gill had a run-scoring double and Sam Westendorf registered a sacrifice fly to help the Pilots claim a three-run advantage.

 

But the Falcons (10-10) rallied by scoring two runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth to jump ahead 4-3. Air Force then added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings en route to the win.

 

Owen Jones (1-2) takes the loss after yielding five runs, three earned, on nine hits and a walk in 6.0 innings. The junior right-hander struck out five, and was followed by three relievers.

 

Sean Carley (2-2) was able to find his groove on the mound after allowing Portland’s three runs. He tossed 8.0 innings, surrendered nine hits and fanned six. He also walked two before giving way to Alex Baker, who pitched a scoreless ninth.

 

Air Force out-hit Portland 13-10, despite four hits from Gill.

 

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the third of the second game, the Pilots scored three to take the one-run advantage. Kris Kauppila and Craig Smith each brought home a run with a single before Riley Henricks gave Portland the lead with an RBI ground out.

 

Air Force re-claimed the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth, but again Portland responded. This time Garrett Queen provided the run-scoring single, which was a bouncer up the middle that tied the score 4-4 in top of the sixth inning.

 

But in the bottom of the sixth, Air Force’s Matt Thorne answered with a big two-run homer to left field to make it 6-4 in the Falcons’ favor. Garrett Custons followed with a solo home run to give Air Force a three-run cushion. Air Force added two more runs in the seventh.

 

Kyle Kraus (2-1) gets his first loss of the season, while Ben Bertelson (1-2) picks up his first win. Kraus lasted 5.2 innings, allowing seven runs on 11 hits. Bertelson worked 6.0 innings, holding the Pilots to four runs on seven hits. Luke Dorlac pitched 3.0 scoreless innings for his first save, while four relievers followed Kraus.

 

The Falcons again out-hit the Pilots, this time by a 13-11 margin.