April 3, 2000

Box Score

COLORADO SPRINGS - The Air Force Academy defeated UNLV 5-3 on Sunday morning in the first game of a scheduled double-header at Falcon Field. UNLV then was leading 5-0 after two innings in the second game when snow forced the game to end. The snow in the Colorado Springs area over the weekend forced two of the three games to be postponed.

Air Force improved to 16-16 overall and 2-7 in the Mountain West Conference and UNLV dropped to 7-25 overall and 0-10 in the MWC.

Sophomore right-hander Erik Fisher tossed a three-hit complete game in the scheduled seven-inning game to improve to 5-3. He allowed 3 runs (2 earned), walked 2 and struck out 5. UNLV sophomore left-hander Ryan Olson (1-1) pitched well despite the loss. He pitched 6 innings, allowed 7 hits, 5 runs (4 earned), walked 2 and struck out 4.

Air Force scored three runs in the first inning and a single run in the second to lead 4-0. UNLV cut the deficit to 4-3 with three runs in the third inning. The key hit was a two-run double by senior second baseman Cody Okuda.

Olson settled down and retired 13 of 15 batters from the second through the sixth innings. The streak was snapped by a two out solo home run to left field by designated hitter Brian Gornick, to increase the Falcons lead to 5-3.

UNLV put the tying runs on base with two outs in the top of the seventh inning. Freshman centerfielder John Cruz was hit by a pitch and he advanced to third base by Okuda's single to center. Okuda had two of UNLV's three hits. With senior catcher Harold Betts at the plate, Okuda was thrown out at second base in attempting to steal which ended the game. He was trying to place the tying run in scoring position.

UNLV will return home and resume Mountain West Conference play against San Diego State on Friday-Saturday-Sunday, April 7-8-9, at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. Game times will be 7:05 p.m., 1:05 p.m., 1:05 p.m.