Feb. 25, 2011

Box Score

KINSTON, N.C. - Air Force starting pitcher Evan Abrecht allowed just one run off six hits and struck out eight batters in six complete innings as the Falcons defeated the Navy baseball team, 8-2, on Friday night in game one of the Freedom Classic in Kinston, N.C.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning, the Falcons took advantage of two Navy errors and scored three runs off just one hit to grab the lead.

Alex Bast made it 5-1 with a one-out, two RBI single down the left field line in the bottom of the second inning.

While the Midshipmen recorded nine hits in the game, they only put up two runs and left a total of eight runners on base.

Navy was able to get the leadoff hitters on in both the fifth and sixth innings, but Abrecht was able to induce double plays on both occasions, further straining the Mids' chances of getting back into the game.

"We kind of semi-threatened, but hit into a double play twice," said Navy head coach Paul Kostacopoulos. "So, we didn't put a ton of pressure on them and you have to answer in college baseball with scoring."

Navy was finally able to cut into the deficit in the top of the eighth inning to make the score 5-2 when a two-out single off the bat of Jeff Bland brought in Alex Azor.

But the Falcons countered and put the game away in the home half of the eighth with three more runs, keyed by a two-RBI double from Matt Roberts, to make the score 8-2.

Abrecht improved to 2-0 on the season as the only run he allowed came in the third inning.

After a leadoff single by Brandon Beans, Alex Azor drove him in with a single through the left side that went under the glove of the Falcons' shortstop, Roberts, allowing Beans to round third and score and give Navy its only lead of the game.

Navy staring pitcher Ben Nelson went six complete innings, allowing five runs, three of which were earned, off seven hits. He also struck out five batters and walked just one.

"Ben was better tonight," Kostacopoulos said. "I don't think he is back to where we expect he will be, but he was better."

The two teams will meet again tomorrow at 2 p.m. Sam Long is scheduled to start on the hill for Navy (0-5), while Michael Ceci is the scheduled starter for the Falcons (3-2).

Notes...
• Ben Nelson recorded his second pickoff of the season when he picked off Parker Mayo in the second inning...the pickoff was the fourth of the season for Navy.

• Catcher Jeff Bland threw out a season-high two runners at second base on Friday.

• Reliever Joel Rinehart entered the game in the eighth and got the final three outs for Navy with three consecutive Ks.