Strong Falcon Performances Lead to 7-1 Win Over New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., - A combination of both strong defensive and offensive efforts propelled Air Force (10-18, 3-6 MW) to defeat New Mexico (15-12, 6-3 MW), 7-1 on Sunday afternoon at Santa Ana Star Field. The pitching staff held the Lobos to just four hits across the game, while they struck out seven. Falcon batters marked 11 hits, with five of them going for extra bases.

Luke Elmore was a standout at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a team-high two RBIs and one run scored. Walker Zapp, Tripp Garrish, Ben Niednagel, and T.J. Oster all tallied one hit with one RBI.

Air Force's starting pitcher, Patrick Davidson, dominated on the mound. The sophomore improved to 4-1 after throwing a career-high 5.2 innings and tying his career best six strikeouts, while only allowing two hits. Davis Rhyne threw one out and allowed New Mexico's lone run. For 0.2 innings, Joey Collier held the Lobos to a single hit. Easton Miller took the closing spot, striking out one batter and giving up no hits or runs across 2.1 innings pitched.

In the bottom of one, Davidson caught three Lobos swinging to keep UNM scoreless.

The Falcons were first on the board, notching a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. With two outs, Elmore drew a walk and was sent to third on a single by Chase Spencer. Air Force secured a successful double steal, as Spencer moved to second and Elmore stole home. An RBI double to right center from Oster sent Spencer across the plate.

To maintain the AF lead, defense retired New Mexico in order with a Davidson strikeout, a pop up to Alex Adams, and a sliding foul out by Christian Taylor in left.

The top of the third frame saw a trio of runs extend Air Force's advantage to 5-0. On one out, Zapp notched his third triple of the season to reach scoring position and Zach Peters joined him on base with an issued walk. The next batter, Tripp Garrish moved the runners up one with a single to left, plating Zapp. The second RBI single of the inning came from Elmore, sending Peters to score from second base.

Falcon defense recorded a line out, a fly out, and a strikeout to keep the Lobos scoreless, in the bottom of the fourth.

The Lobos managed one run in the bottom of seven, but a double play and a three-pitch strikeout from Easton Miller limited the damage, 5-1.

Air Force tacked on a pair of runs in the top of the eighth to secure a 7-1 victory. Following a UNM pitching change, Garrish was issued a walk and substituted for pinch runner, Cam Anstey, who stole second. With his third hit of the day, Elmore sent Anstey around the bags to home plate. Back-to-back fielder's choices out Oster on base. After he stole second, Oster scored on a left-line double by Niednagel for the final run of the afternoon.

Two fly outs sent to Taylor in left field, along with a ground out to Miller sealed the Falcon win in the bottom of the ninth.

Air Force will return to Erdle Field for another Mountain West series against San Diego State from Friday April 4-Sunday April 6. Game one is slated for a 3:05 p.m. MT start.

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