The Air Force Falcons (0-1) could not hold their lead against the Alcorn St. Braves (1-0), losing 7-5 in a late-game slugfest. The Falcons jumped ahead to a 5-0 lead, but saw their early dominance fade in the later innings at Alcorn State came rushing back.
In the first inning, the Air Force baseball team jumped to a 2-0 lead when C Garrett Custons doubled to set up a CF Alex Blast sac fly and a DH Adam Hill RBI single. The Falcons poured on more punishment in the third as Custons doubled again, setting up another sac fly. An RBI walk from 2B Blair Roberts and a RBI single from LF Taylor Ausbun later, and Air Force was leading 5-0.
However, Air Force starter RHP Evan Abrecht hit some major hurdles. With Air Force leading 5-1, Abrecht gave up a one-out single and back-to-back walks. A sac fly, a double and a triple later, and the Falcons found themselves losing 6-5. The Falcons used three different pitchers in the 7th inning -- Evan Abrecht, Jack Hourin and Mike Kazakoff -- but were unable to hold their sizable lead.
Abrecht finished the day with 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB and 1 SO. After his rough seventh, the Falcons surrendered another run, losing by the final score 7-5. Leading the Falcons offense, Custons finished the day 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored.
The Air Force baseball team plays again Friday night, taking on the LSU Tigers and the vaunted pitching prospect Kevin Gausman.
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