USAFA, Colo. – Air Force first baseman Russell Williams' leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth lifted the Falcons to an 11-10 win over SIUE baseball in the opener of a four-game series at Falcon Field.

The home run came moments after Skyler Geissinger tied the game for SIUE with a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning.

Ryan Agnitsch (0-3) suffered the loss despite throwing just three pitches.

"We played hard, took a lot of quality at-bats, put a bunch of runs on the board and had a bunch of hits," SIUE Coach Danny Jackson said. "I'm proud of the way they battled. We were a wind-blown home run away from getting a win."

Air Force (21-20) led 10-3 before SIUE (9-31) scored seven runs over its final two-at bats, including four in the top of the ninth inning, to even the score.

"We just kept battling," Jackson added. "The guys seemed a little bus-lagged early in the game. A little tired and not completely in it. From the fourth inning on we looked sharp. And, seven runs over the last two innings. I couldn't tell you the last time we did that."

Geissinger singled with one out in the eighth inning, before Austin Verschoore pinch hit and drew a walk. Jacob Stewart then singled to load the bases. Geissinger scored on a wild pitch. Kailer Smith drove home a run with ground out and Jackson Layton singled to drive home the third run in the inning.

In the ninth, Logan Andersen doubled with one out before Dustin Woodcock was hit by a pitch. Keaton Wright doubled off the left field wall to score Andersen before Geissinger connected on his first home run of the year to tie the score.

The Cougars tied a season high with 15 hits. Woodcock and Wright each finished with three hits. Andersen, Geissinger and Alec Skender each had two hits for the Cougars.

"We swung the bats really well the last part of the game," Jackson said. "I hope we continue that over to tomorrow and we can put all three phases together tomorrow."

The Falcons opened the scoring with a three-run first inning on a three-run home run by left fielder Tyler Johnson. After a single run in the third inning, Air Force scored three more times in the fourth and three times in the seventh inning.

P.J. Schuster started for the Cougars and allowed five runs over three innings. Brandon Tatum allowed two runs over 2.1 innings. Zach Little gave up three runs in 1.2 innings. Travis Felax tossed a scoreless eighth inning.

"Little was sharp. He gave up a couple of hits to right field, one that nicked the first base bag which is where the runs came," Jackson said. Travis Felax did a fantastic job. It was nice to get them the opportunity and they both did well.

"P.J. was a little tight today in the shoulder," Jackson continued. "He just didn't have his best stuff. Brandon fought a little bit but he kept us in the game. He was good enough to get us through a few innings so he did his job."

Jones finished with two hits and four RBIs for the Falcons. Bradley Haslam was 3 for 5 with three RBIs.

Matt Hargreaves (2-2) earned the win in relief, despite giving up four SIUE runs on three hits over 1.1 innings pitched.

"It felt like they had to shake the cobwebs out a little bit," Jackson said. "We've had a week layoff since we played. It was a combination of having not played in a week and the travel. They needed to flip the switch and when they did they started playing really well."

The series continues with a doubleheader Saturday. The teams will play two seven-inning games with the first pitch of game one coming at 1 p.m. CT.