Cougs edge Falcons

PROVO — For several innings, BYU simply tantalized Air Force.

The Falcons entered Thursday night's game at Miller Park winless in Mountain West Conference play with an 0-14 mark.

After 6 1/2 innings, Air Force led the Cougars, 4-3. But BYU rallied to score a pair of runs in the seventh and held on for a 5-4 victory over the Falcons.

So much for Air Force ending its prolonged losing streak. So much for the Falcons earning their first league win of the year.

Now, Air Force (0-15, 7-34 overall) is providing fodder for an old joke:

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Owen.

Owen who?

Owen 15.

The Cougars weren't laughing, though, especially through the early innings. In the top of the first, BYU committed an error, recorded a passed ball and was charged with a balk as Air Force took an early 2-0 advantage.

"We opened the door for them," said Cougar coach Vance Law. "They're a real feisty team. They're a lot better than their record indicates."

Kasey Ko got the Cougars on the scoreboard in their half of the first with an RBI single to cut the lead to 2-1. They jumped on top in the third when Kent Walton singled and was doubled home by Apana Nakayama. After Steve Parker singled, Ko popped out down the right field line. Nakayama tagged up and scored from third to put BYU ahead, 3-2.

Thanks to a pair of RBI singles, the Falcons retook the lead, 4-3, in the fourth, and the score stayed that way until the seventh.

Collin Fanning led things off with a triple and scored on a Walton single. A throwing error plated Walton on a play that put the Cougars up for good.

Jordan Muir (5-3) pitched seven strong innings for BYU, giving up eight hits and two earned runs.

"He pitched outstanding," Law said. "I'm proud of the way he pitched after the first inning."

Matt Jensen tossed two scoreless innings to earn his first save of the season.

"I felt pretty good out there," Jensen said. "I like coming to the game in a tight situation. It's an adrenaline rush when it's close."

The starting time for Thursday's game was pushed back to 7 p.m. because Vice President Dick Cheney spoke at BYU's graduation ceremonies at the Marriott Center earlier in the day. Seven current or former BYU baseball players graduated.

The Cougars (8-5, 23-16) and Falcons continue their three-game series today at 6 p.m. The two teams play again Saturday at 1 p.m.

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com