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Utah Nips Air Force, 7-6, in 11 Innings
Utes improve to 24-31; Falcons fall to 15-39.
May 22, 2003
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The University of Utah won a marathon battle in game four of the Mountain West Conference (MWC) baseball tournament at Isotopes Park on Thursday, beating the Air Force Academy 7-6 in 11 innings. The game lasted 4 hours and 5 minutes, setting a record as the longest game in MWC history. It was a back and forth battle throughout most of the game with six lead changes. With the score tied 4-4 in the top of the 8th inning, a double by catcher Daniel Petro drove in two runs to the give Air Force (15-39) the lead 6-4. But the Utes (24-31) stormed back in the bottom of the ninth, finding themselves with bases loaded and no outs, but were only able to score two runs, knotting the score 6-6. Utah again found themselves with bases loaded and no outs in the bottom of the 11th and scored the winning run off a single to left field by third baseman Cort Wilson. Right-handed pitcher Brady Martinez came into the game in the 7th inning and earned the win for Utah as he went 4.1 innings, limiting Air Force to five hits, two runs, and striking out five. Martinez improved to 4-3 on the season. Right-handed pitcher Paul Vignola took the loss for Air Force, dropping to 5-8 on the season. He came into the game in the 10th inning and surrendered three hits and one run. For the Utes, Cort Wilson went 3-for-4 with with three RBI, including a homerun and a sacrifice fly, while Mike Barsham with 4-for-5 with a triple and one RBI. Daniel Petro blasted a triple and went 3-for-5, while Adam Howes was 3-for-6 with a double to pace the Falcons.
Utah will advance to the 3 p.m. game on Friday while the loss eliminated Air Force from the tournament.
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