Baseball: Air Force swept in Banana Belt Tournament Published March 3, 2007 By Nick Arseniak U.S. Air Force Academy Assistant Sports Information Director LEWISTON, Idaho/PULLMAN, Wash. (AFNEWS) -- Like the weather in the Northwest, the Air Force bats continued to stay cold as the Falcons lost both games of a double-site doubleheader at the S.P.O.R.T. Banana Belt Tournament March 2. The Falcons lost 16-1 at Lewis-Clark State (11-0) and 3-0 at Washington State (6-3) to fall to 4-10 on the season. In the first game against Lewis-Clark State at Lewiston, Idaho, the Falcon bats went silent as the team was held to a season-low two hits in a 16-1 loss. LCSC capitalized on stellar pitching and a pair of big innings for the win. After allowing a run in the first, Air Force scored its lone run of the game in the third inning off a solo home run to center field from Geno Salazar. LCSC scored a run in the bottom of the third to go back ahead 2-1. The Warriors then blew the game wide open scoring four runs in the fourth and seven in the fifth. LCSC tacked on one run in the sixth and two more in the eighth to round out the scoring. The Warriors had 16 hits in the game. Leadoff hitter Mark Thompson just missed hitting for the cycle by a single, going 3-for-4 with five runs and four RBI. Brad Schwarzenbach earned the win in the start, striking out 11 and allowing one run on two hits in six innings pitched. Brian Bird did not allow a hit in three innings of relief for the save. Air Force's second hit was by Spencer Tate on a check-swing. Falcon starter Gary Whiteman took the loss (1-3), allowing six runs on six hits in 3.2 innings pitched. Casey Allen, Daniel Richardson and Adam Teach combined to toss the final 4.1 innings of relief. In game two at Pullman, Wash., the Falcons failed to take advantage of another stellar pitching performance from sophomore Jake Petro. Petro (2-2) went six innings, allowing two runs, one earned, off of just four hits in the loss. The Falcons were held to two hits for the second-consecutive game. Washington State scored the first run in the third inning as Cody Bartlett manufactered a walk into a run. Bartlett walked to lead off the inning, stole second and then got to third on a ground out. Travis Coulter then reached on an fielding error and Bartlett scored. The Cougars added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings to make it a 3-0 game. Washington State starting pitcher Connor Lambert also turned in a stellar pitching effort, striking out 10 Falcons in eight innings pitched. Cougar closer Ross Humes closed the door on the Falcons in the ninth by striking out all three batters faced for the save. The Falcons return to action March 3 against Utah Valley State in Lewiston. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) Click here to view the comments/letters page