Falcons Run Rule Penn State, 15-3, in Season Opener at MLB Desert Invitational

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Air Force baseball opened the 2026 season in dominant fashion, run-ruling Penn State, 15-3, on Friday night at Goodyear Stadium. The Falcons scored 15 runs on 14 hits while driving in 10 RBIs and limiting the Nittany Lions to just four hits on the evening. This marks the first time Air Force has won on opening day since 2020.

On the mound, Gaines Estridge earned the third win of his career after tossing a career-high six innings. The right-hander tied his career best with four strikeouts and did not allow a run. Aiden Poe made his collegiate debut in the seventh inning, working one frame and allowing three runs, while Marcus Downing closed the game with a scoreless eighth inning, striking out one and surrendering no hits.

Offensively, Luke Elmore paced the Falcons with four hits and four RBIs. Kayden Bradshaw and Wyatt Hanoian each added two RBIs apiece to help power the Air Force lineup.

Freshman Brooks Burdine led off the second inning with the first hit of the 2026 season for the Falcons, a single to shortstop that also marked his first collegiate hit.

After a scoreless first three innings, Air Force broke through in the top of the fourth to take a 3-0 lead. Burdine drew a walk and recorded the first stolen base of his career before advancing to third on a bunt from Elmore. Bradshaw then delivered a clutch single to left center to score Burdine for his first career run as a Falcon. A bunt loaded the bases with no outs, and although Elmore was thrown out at the plate on a fielder's choice, an errant throw allowed Bradshaw to score. A throwing error following a pitching change enabled Niednagel to cross the plate and cap the inning.

Estridge responded with a dominant bottom half of the fourth, retiring the side in order and striking out two to keep Penn State scoreless.

The Falcons extended their lead to 6-0 in the fifth inning after back-to-back singles from Burdine and Elmore. Bradshaw knocked in Burdine with his second RBI single of the night, setting up a double steal that allowed Elmore to score. Another Penn State throwing error brought Bradshaw home.

Air Force added two more runs in the sixth to take an 8-0 advantage. Hanoian reached base after being hit by a pitch and later scored, along with Christian Taylor, on a two-out double down the left-field line by Elmore.

The Falcons continued to apply pressure in the seventh, pushing the lead to 11-0. Tripp Garrish and Hanoian singled to put runners on the corners, and a Penn State error plated a run. Elmore followed with a two-RBI hit to close the scoring in the frame.

Penn State scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh on two RBI singles and an RBI groundout, trimming the deficit to 11-3.

Air Force sealed the run rule victory with four runs in the eighth inning. Ben Niednagel singled to open the frame and was followed by walks from T.J. Oster and Garrish to load the bases. Hanoian doubled to drive in two runs, Taylor added a sacrifice fly, and Burdine recorded his first career RBI with a single to center field to make it 15-3.

UP NEXT
Air Force continues play at the MLB Desert Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 14, against Iowa at 6:00 p.m. MT at Salt River Fields. The game will be streamed on the MLB Network.

A LOOK AT IOWA
The Hawkeyes are coming off a 33-22-1 season and posted a 21-9 record in Big Ten play. Iowa concluded its 2025 campaign with a 9-3 loss to UCLA in the semifinals of the conference tournament.

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