Friday, April 25
3:05 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
University of Nevada
AF Baseball Returns to Erdle Field for MW Series Against Nevada
4/24/2025 1:59:00 PM | Baseball
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., - The Falcons (16-25, 8-10 MW) look to host Nevada (23-17, 10-8 MW) for a three game conference series from Friday April 25-Sunday April 27 at Erdle Field.
Schedule
Fri: vs. Nevada, 3 p.m. MT at Erdle Field in USAFA, Colo.,
Sat: vs. Nevada, 1 p.m. MT at Erdle Field in USAFA, Colo.,
Sun: vs. Nevada, 12 p.m. MT at Erdle Field in USAFA, Colo.,
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Erdle Field
With the anticipation of great crowds during the 2025 Air Force baseball season, fans are encouraged to bring a folding chair to enjoy the game from the third base line, and other areas around Erdle Field, when the first base bleachers reach capacity.
Base Access
The U.S. Air Force Academy processes to access the installation continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, if you do not have a DoD ID card you will need to obtain a pass to enter the base. Ticket holders wishing to attend can request a base pass by using this link for each game. Once you register, you will receive a message with a QR code on your phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans will present game tickets (if needed) when entering each venue. All ticketed/credentialed attendees will need to enter through the North Gate only to get to the Cadet Field House.
Series History
-The first meeting of the two programs was a three-game series played from March 15-17, 2013. Air Force dropped the series 2-1 (2-3, 1-6, 7-3).
-In 2024, the teams played six times, with Nevada winning four of those games (4-5 (12 Inn.), 11-4, 3-7, 8-3, 6-12, 8-11 (10 Inn.)).
-Air Force holds a losing record, 25-30.
-Over time the Falcons have been outscored by the Wolf Pack, 367-328.
-AF has faced Nevada just once in the MW tournament and fell 12-1 in 2016.
Pitching Probables (2025 Stats)
Fri: RHP Davis Rhyne (6.20 ERA, 2-1) vs. RHP Peyton Fosher (6.00 ERA, 3-4)
Sat: RHP Cranz Smelcer (8.33 ERA, 1-4) vs. LHP Alessandro Castro (5.55 ERA, 4-3)
Sun: TBD vs. RHP Casey Burfield (5.22 ERA, 2-2)
Projected Lineup (2025 OPS)
1. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.782 OPS)
2. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.998 OPS)
3. R/R, Zach Peters, RF (.891 OPS)
4. L/L, Tripp Garrish (.956 OPS)
5. R/R, Christian Taylor, LF (.821 OPS)
6. R/R, Luke Elmore, 1B (.787 OPS)
7. R/R, T.J. Oster (.688 OPS)
8. R/R, Alex Adams, 3B (.728 OPS)
9. R/R, Ben Niednagel, 3B (.764 OPS)
A Look at the Wolf Pack
-Nevada holds an overall record of 23-17 and a Mountain West record of 10-8.
-On the road, the Wolf Pack has a losing record of 9-10.
-So far this season, the Pack has outscored their opponents, 296-240.
-The pitching staff has collected a combined overall ERA of 5.72 and 302 strikeouts across 343.0 innings and a MW ERA of 5.72 with 138 strikeouts in 151.0 conference innings.
-Nevada's batters have notched overall batting average of .295, a .497 slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .380.
-The Wolf Pack is currently tied with New Mexico and San Diego State for second in the conference standings.
-Overall, Nevada falls at: 1st in runners picked off (7), 1st in walks allowed (135), 2nd in slugging percentage (.497), 2nd in runs scored (296), 2nd in hits (413), 2nd in RBIs (273), 2nd in doubles (91), 2nd in home runs (59), 3rd in batting average (.295), 3rd in on-base percentage (.380), and 3rd in ERA (5.72).
Davis Day
-Davis Rhyne is slated to take the Friday start against Nevada, for his second start of the season.
-Rhyne holds an overall ERA of 6.20 with a record of 2-1.
-Across the season, the RHP has totaled 15 strikeouts, and 14 earned runs allowed in 20.1 innings for a batting average against of .282. He has 16 appearances under his belt, the most of any Air Force pitcher this season.
-The sophomore has collected four MW strikeouts in 8.2 innings for a record of 1-1 in conference play.
-Most recently, Rhyne earned his second career win in the game three 8-3 victory over Fresno State. He entered in relief for 3.1 innings where he threw one K and gave up just one run off two hits.
-Earlier the same week, Rhyne earned his first career win after taking his first career start in a midweek against Oral Roberts. He notched a career-high four innings pitched with a pair of strikeouts and two earned runs allowed, helping the Falcons to win 9-3.
Saturday is for Smelcer
-Cranz Smelcer has worked his way from reliever to taking multiple starts for the Falcons.
-Overall, the freshman has the third-most appearances for an (14) for an Air Force pitcher and has a team second-best 32 Ks, along with an overall ERA of 8.33 across 35.2 IP.
-In MW play, Smelcer holds an ERA of 6.14 with 15 strikeouts, and 15 earned runs off 30 hits allowed, in 22 innings.
-Most recently, Smelcer picked up a new career-high 6.2 innings pitched at Fresno State. he logged a pair of strikeouts and gave up five runs.
-Smelcer started the game two 6-4 win over UNLV. He threw 4.2 innings with four Ks and two earned runs.
-In the 18-8 run-rule win against San Diego State, Smelcer threw a career-high five full innings with three strikeouts and three earned runs allowed.
-The RHP closed game two at New Mexico, throwing 3 full innings, striking out a trio of Lobos, and not surrendering a run or a hit.
-Smelcer started his third game of 2025 in a midweek win, 9-4, over Wright State. He opened with three Ks and two earned runs allowed in 2.1 IP.
- He took his second start of the season in the rubber match 14-9 win against MW opponent, Washington State. He went 1.1 innings with one K and three earned runs given up off six hits.
-In the 15-2 run-rule win over South Dakota State, Smelcer made his first start on the mound. He recorded an impressive outing, going four full innings with a career-high six strikeouts.
-The freshman earned his first win at Air Force and improved to 1-3, after defending AF's lead and only allowing one run off three hits.
-So far this season, the right-handed pitcher has made eight appearances out of the bullpen.
-His collegiate debut came against No. 10 Florida, where he went 0.2 innings with one K and five runs allowed.
Give Us 'More
-Luke Elmore has made a statement in the Falcon lineup, after only appearing in two games last season.
-He has taken 34 starts with 36 total appearances and holds a team second best batting average of .306 and has batted in 21 runs.
-Elmore has totaled 37 hits, 25 runs scored, a pair of doubles, one triple, two homers, and six stolen bags.
-He is currently on an eight-game reach base streak with 11 multi-hit games and six multi-RBI games.
-Most recently, the sophomore went 1-for-2 with three runs scored at Northern Colorado.
-In the Falcons' game three win over MW opponent Fresno State, Elmore accounted for two RBIs.
-The outfielder was a critical component of the 15-14 game one win over Washington State.
-He recorded his first two career homers and a career-high five RBIs.
-The Panama City, Fla., native made it a one-run game with a three-run shot and put the Falcons in the lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of eight.
-His performance set him up to earn Mountain West Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
On Deck
Air Force will travel back up to Greeley, Colo., to play Northern Colorado for the fourth time this season on Tuesday April 29 at 3 p.m. MT.
Schedule
Fri: vs. Nevada, 3 p.m. MT at Erdle Field in USAFA, Colo.,
Sat: vs. Nevada, 1 p.m. MT at Erdle Field in USAFA, Colo.,
Sun: vs. Nevada, 12 p.m. MT at Erdle Field in USAFA, Colo.,
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Erdle Field
With the anticipation of great crowds during the 2025 Air Force baseball season, fans are encouraged to bring a folding chair to enjoy the game from the third base line, and other areas around Erdle Field, when the first base bleachers reach capacity.
Base Access
The U.S. Air Force Academy processes to access the installation continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, if you do not have a DoD ID card you will need to obtain a pass to enter the base. Ticket holders wishing to attend can request a base pass by using this link for each game. Once you register, you will receive a message with a QR code on your phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans will present game tickets (if needed) when entering each venue. All ticketed/credentialed attendees will need to enter through the North Gate only to get to the Cadet Field House.
Series History
-The first meeting of the two programs was a three-game series played from March 15-17, 2013. Air Force dropped the series 2-1 (2-3, 1-6, 7-3).
-In 2024, the teams played six times, with Nevada winning four of those games (4-5 (12 Inn.), 11-4, 3-7, 8-3, 6-12, 8-11 (10 Inn.)).
-Air Force holds a losing record, 25-30.
-Over time the Falcons have been outscored by the Wolf Pack, 367-328.
-AF has faced Nevada just once in the MW tournament and fell 12-1 in 2016.
Pitching Probables (2025 Stats)
Fri: RHP Davis Rhyne (6.20 ERA, 2-1) vs. RHP Peyton Fosher (6.00 ERA, 3-4)
Sat: RHP Cranz Smelcer (8.33 ERA, 1-4) vs. LHP Alessandro Castro (5.55 ERA, 4-3)
Sun: TBD vs. RHP Casey Burfield (5.22 ERA, 2-2)
Projected Lineup (2025 OPS)
1. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.782 OPS)
2. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.998 OPS)
3. R/R, Zach Peters, RF (.891 OPS)
4. L/L, Tripp Garrish (.956 OPS)
5. R/R, Christian Taylor, LF (.821 OPS)
6. R/R, Luke Elmore, 1B (.787 OPS)
7. R/R, T.J. Oster (.688 OPS)
8. R/R, Alex Adams, 3B (.728 OPS)
9. R/R, Ben Niednagel, 3B (.764 OPS)
A Look at the Wolf Pack
-Nevada holds an overall record of 23-17 and a Mountain West record of 10-8.
-On the road, the Wolf Pack has a losing record of 9-10.
-So far this season, the Pack has outscored their opponents, 296-240.
-The pitching staff has collected a combined overall ERA of 5.72 and 302 strikeouts across 343.0 innings and a MW ERA of 5.72 with 138 strikeouts in 151.0 conference innings.
-Nevada's batters have notched overall batting average of .295, a .497 slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .380.
-The Wolf Pack is currently tied with New Mexico and San Diego State for second in the conference standings.
-Overall, Nevada falls at: 1st in runners picked off (7), 1st in walks allowed (135), 2nd in slugging percentage (.497), 2nd in runs scored (296), 2nd in hits (413), 2nd in RBIs (273), 2nd in doubles (91), 2nd in home runs (59), 3rd in batting average (.295), 3rd in on-base percentage (.380), and 3rd in ERA (5.72).
Davis Day
-Davis Rhyne is slated to take the Friday start against Nevada, for his second start of the season.
-Rhyne holds an overall ERA of 6.20 with a record of 2-1.
-Across the season, the RHP has totaled 15 strikeouts, and 14 earned runs allowed in 20.1 innings for a batting average against of .282. He has 16 appearances under his belt, the most of any Air Force pitcher this season.
-The sophomore has collected four MW strikeouts in 8.2 innings for a record of 1-1 in conference play.
-Most recently, Rhyne earned his second career win in the game three 8-3 victory over Fresno State. He entered in relief for 3.1 innings where he threw one K and gave up just one run off two hits.
-Earlier the same week, Rhyne earned his first career win after taking his first career start in a midweek against Oral Roberts. He notched a career-high four innings pitched with a pair of strikeouts and two earned runs allowed, helping the Falcons to win 9-3.
Saturday is for Smelcer
-Cranz Smelcer has worked his way from reliever to taking multiple starts for the Falcons.
-Overall, the freshman has the third-most appearances for an (14) for an Air Force pitcher and has a team second-best 32 Ks, along with an overall ERA of 8.33 across 35.2 IP.
-In MW play, Smelcer holds an ERA of 6.14 with 15 strikeouts, and 15 earned runs off 30 hits allowed, in 22 innings.
-Most recently, Smelcer picked up a new career-high 6.2 innings pitched at Fresno State. he logged a pair of strikeouts and gave up five runs.
-Smelcer started the game two 6-4 win over UNLV. He threw 4.2 innings with four Ks and two earned runs.
-In the 18-8 run-rule win against San Diego State, Smelcer threw a career-high five full innings with three strikeouts and three earned runs allowed.
-The RHP closed game two at New Mexico, throwing 3 full innings, striking out a trio of Lobos, and not surrendering a run or a hit.
-Smelcer started his third game of 2025 in a midweek win, 9-4, over Wright State. He opened with three Ks and two earned runs allowed in 2.1 IP.
- He took his second start of the season in the rubber match 14-9 win against MW opponent, Washington State. He went 1.1 innings with one K and three earned runs given up off six hits.
-In the 15-2 run-rule win over South Dakota State, Smelcer made his first start on the mound. He recorded an impressive outing, going four full innings with a career-high six strikeouts.
-The freshman earned his first win at Air Force and improved to 1-3, after defending AF's lead and only allowing one run off three hits.
-So far this season, the right-handed pitcher has made eight appearances out of the bullpen.
-His collegiate debut came against No. 10 Florida, where he went 0.2 innings with one K and five runs allowed.
Give Us 'More
-Luke Elmore has made a statement in the Falcon lineup, after only appearing in two games last season.
-He has taken 34 starts with 36 total appearances and holds a team second best batting average of .306 and has batted in 21 runs.
-Elmore has totaled 37 hits, 25 runs scored, a pair of doubles, one triple, two homers, and six stolen bags.
-He is currently on an eight-game reach base streak with 11 multi-hit games and six multi-RBI games.
-Most recently, the sophomore went 1-for-2 with three runs scored at Northern Colorado.
-In the Falcons' game three win over MW opponent Fresno State, Elmore accounted for two RBIs.
-The outfielder was a critical component of the 15-14 game one win over Washington State.
-He recorded his first two career homers and a career-high five RBIs.
-The Panama City, Fla., native made it a one-run game with a three-run shot and put the Falcons in the lead with a two-run homer in the bottom of eight.
-His performance set him up to earn Mountain West Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
On Deck
Air Force will travel back up to Greeley, Colo., to play Northern Colorado for the fourth time this season on Tuesday April 29 at 3 p.m. MT.
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
UT/RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF/RHP
/ Baseball
UT
/ Baseball
C
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