Saturday, February 14
Salt River Fields | Scottsdale, AZ
6:00 p.m. MT
Air Force Academy
3
vs
4
University of Iowa
Air Force Drops One-Run Battle to Iowa, 4-3
2/14/2026 10:41:00 PM | Baseball
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., - Air Force (1-1) jumped out early but ultimately fell to the Hawkeyes (1-1), 4-3, on Saturday evening at Salt River Fields. The Falcons totaled eight hits at the plate while the pitching staff combined for seven strikeouts in a tight matchup.
Freshman Wyatt Hanoian impressed in just his second collegiate appearance, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Shortstop Ben Niednagel added a pair of hits and drove in Air Force's remaining run.
On the mound, freshman Josh Holst made his collegiate debut, earning the start and delivering 5.1 strong innings. He struck out five batters and allowed just one run. Bowen Brantingham worked 1.1 innings in relief and was tagged with the loss (0-1) after surrendering three runs. Easton Miller closed the game with 2.1 scoreless innings, recording one strikeout and keeping the Falcons within striking distance.
Holst recorded his first career strikeout in the opening inning, setting the tone early. Air Force threatened in the bottom of the first as Tripp Garrish and Hanoian reached scoring position, but were stranded by a strikeout.
Iowa opened scoring, hopping on the board in the top of two, with a sacrifice fly for the 1-0 lead.
The bottom of the same frame saw the Birds take over, sliding into a 2-1 advantage. Luke Elmore led off the frame with a solid single to left center and was advanced on a Niednagel ground out. Singles from T.J. Oster and Hanoian followed, allowing Elmore and Oster to cross the plate and give Air Force a 2-1 advantage.
Air Force's defense posted a three up, three down inning in the third.
Following four scoreless innings, the Hawkeyes tacked on a trio of runs to reclaim the lead.
In the bottom of the stretch, the Falcons scored to make it a one-run game at 4-3. With two away, Elmore and pinch hitter Dawson Thrush were issued back-to-back walks. Niednagel came in clutch with an RBI double to deep right center, allowing Elmore to plate Air Force's final run of the evening.
The Birds battled but were unable to come up with a tying run.
UP NEXT
Air Force will return to Salt River Fields for a Sunday game against UConn on February 15 at 6 p.m. MT.
A LOOK AT UCONN
During the Huskies' time at the MLB Desert Invitational, they have gone 0-2 with losses to Nebraska (12-2) and Kansas State (7-3).
Freshman Wyatt Hanoian impressed in just his second collegiate appearance, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Shortstop Ben Niednagel added a pair of hits and drove in Air Force's remaining run.
On the mound, freshman Josh Holst made his collegiate debut, earning the start and delivering 5.1 strong innings. He struck out five batters and allowed just one run. Bowen Brantingham worked 1.1 innings in relief and was tagged with the loss (0-1) after surrendering three runs. Easton Miller closed the game with 2.1 scoreless innings, recording one strikeout and keeping the Falcons within striking distance.
Holst recorded his first career strikeout in the opening inning, setting the tone early. Air Force threatened in the bottom of the first as Tripp Garrish and Hanoian reached scoring position, but were stranded by a strikeout.
Iowa opened scoring, hopping on the board in the top of two, with a sacrifice fly for the 1-0 lead.
The bottom of the same frame saw the Birds take over, sliding into a 2-1 advantage. Luke Elmore led off the frame with a solid single to left center and was advanced on a Niednagel ground out. Singles from T.J. Oster and Hanoian followed, allowing Elmore and Oster to cross the plate and give Air Force a 2-1 advantage.
Air Force's defense posted a three up, three down inning in the third.
Following four scoreless innings, the Hawkeyes tacked on a trio of runs to reclaim the lead.
In the bottom of the stretch, the Falcons scored to make it a one-run game at 4-3. With two away, Elmore and pinch hitter Dawson Thrush were issued back-to-back walks. Niednagel came in clutch with an RBI double to deep right center, allowing Elmore to plate Air Force's final run of the evening.
The Birds battled but were unable to come up with a tying run.
UP NEXT
Air Force will return to Salt River Fields for a Sunday game against UConn on February 15 at 6 p.m. MT.
A LOOK AT UCONN
During the Huskies' time at the MLB Desert Invitational, they have gone 0-2 with losses to Nebraska (12-2) and Kansas State (7-3).
Players Mentioned
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