MIKE SULLIVAN

Staff Writer

SAN DIEGO -- Seth King hit a three-run home run to cap a five-run fourth inning on Wednesday to lead Brigham Young to a 7-1 victory over Air Force in the opening round of the Mountain West Conference baseball tournament at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

King's homer over the left-center field fence broke a 1-1 tie. Kainoa Obrey had singled in a run earlier in the inning.

After King's blast off Air Force starter Erik Fisher (2-11), Tyler Perry singled in a run later in the inning for the Cougars (35-19).

BYU starter Nate Fernley improved to 15-2. Fernley allowed one run and five hits in six innings.

BYU meets Utah in today's second round. Air Force, which falls into the losers' bracket, drops to 23-32.

NEW MEXICO 7, UTAH 4

The Lobos (25-32) built a 7-1 lead in the first six innings and held off the Utes (26-28). Donny Sevieri's one-out homer to center field in the fourth broke a 1-1 tie and gave New Mexico the lead for good. New Mexico scored three runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Utah rallied on Adam Castleton's two-run homer in the seventh and Sam Swenson's solo shot in the eighth. Chris Cooper (6-7) went 7 1/3 innings for the win. Jeff Perez finished up for his sixth save. Travis Palmer (5-5) took the loss for Utah.

5/17/01