Published: Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Updated: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 02:04
A three-run ninth inning and an 11th-inning walk-off double gave the UNC baseball team a 10-9 loss in a back-and-forth game against Air Force on the road Tuesday in Colorado Springs.
The University of Northern Colorado (16-22) had a 9-6 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning before senior pitcher Casey Coy allowed three runs off two home runs, a solo shot from Falcons (10-28) sophomore designated hitter Seth Kline and a two-run bomb by freshman outfielder David Thomas.
With the score tied going in the 11th, Air Force had two runners on as sophomore left fielder stepped up to the plate and hit a walk-off double, sending in first baseman Adam Hill.
The Falcons were on the board first when Kline hit his first RBI of the game in the first inning.
Trailing by four going into the fifth, the Bears had a five-run rally. After senior Tony Crudo scored on a wild pitch, freshman designated hitter Taylor Anderson hit a three-run double to left, scoring junior catcher Harrison Lambert, freshman center fielder J.T. Leidholt and freshman second baseman Ryan Yamane. Anderson later scored on a fielder’s choice to second base.
The Falcons punched right back, retaking the lead when sophomore right-handed pitcher Michael Wilkes gave-up a two-run single to Hill. Wilkes allowed three hits and had one error during his two innings on the mound.
Crudo got things rolling for the Bears again with a single to the shortstop in the eighth. Crudo went 3-for-5 with two runs. With the bases loaded, Yamane doubled to right center, bringing in Crudo and Lambert. Still down by one, Yamane ran across the plate on a passed ball, giving UNC a 9-6 lead. Yamane ended the game with one hit, two runs and two walks.
The Bears were unable to hold the lead, however. With the Falcons coming back, the game went into extra-innings.
In a scoreless 10th, Yamane and Willman both reached base, but neither was able to advance past second base.
The Bears face Air Force again at 3 p.m. today at Jackson Field.