COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.--Air Force exploded for seven runs in the second inning and six in the sixth to help defeat North Dakota State 17-12 in college baseball Saturday, Feb. 19.

North Dakota State (0-2) scored four runs in the top of the eighth to pull within 14-12 before the Falcons (2-4) got a leadoff home run from Nathan DeRohan and manufactured two more runs for the final margin.

North Dakota State starter Terry Tchida took the loss.  He pitched two-plus innings, surrendering seven runs on four hits.  Air Force starter Travis Fugler worked six innings and got the win despite surrendering eight runs on six hits.

Third baseman Brandon Wiebelhaus was 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the Bison attack.  Teammates Matt Mossey, Charles Magedanz and Tim Erickson each had two hits and two runs.

Air Force second baseman Dustin Smith was 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Falcons.

North Dakota State is scheduled to play Utah Valley State on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m. MT before playing Air Force again at 1 p.m. MT.