Falcons Glide Past UConn, 12-6

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., - Air Force (2-1) dominated at Salt River Fields with a 12-6 win over Connecticut (0-3) on Sunday evening. The Falcon hitters combined for nine hits, highlighted by the Birds' first homer of the season, courtesy of Tripp Garrish. The pitching staff threw the most strikeouts of the season so far, with 11 total.

At the plate, Garrish went 2-for-6 with the first home run of year and a pair of both RBIs and runs scored. Walker Zapp and Van Klein also accounted for two RBIs each.

Ethan Dillinger took the start on the mound, the sixth in his career. The junior struck out four batters but allowed five runs off five hits in 3.1 innings. The following pitcher, Marcus Downing (1-0), picked up his first career win after completing two scoreless innings and tied his career high of three strikeouts. Davis Rhyne earned his first career save after closing out the final 3.2 innings, tying his career high in strikeouts with four and surrendering just one run.

Air Force got right to work, opening the game with four runs in the top of the first frame. Lead off batter, Garrish started with a single to left and was joined on base by a walked Wyatt Hanoian. Christian Taylor was hit by a pitch to load the bases and a walk issued to Zapp brought in the first run. With a groundout to the pitcher, Luke Elmore was able to send another runner across the plate. In his first plate appearance of the season, Klein marked a two RBI single, enabling Zapp and Taylor to head home.

After a pair of scoreless innings, the Falcons added four more runs in the fourth to extend their lead to 8-0. Ben Niednagel opened the frame with a walk, followed by a single from T.J. Oster. A walk to Kayden Bradshaw loaded the bases, and after a UConn pitching change, Hanoian lifted a sacrifice fly. Taylor then delivered a two-run single through the left side, while Zapp drove in Bradshaw with a single to right. Taylor later scored on a passed ball.

Connecticut answered with five runs in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the deficit to 8-5.

Air Force responded in the fifth, adding one run to regain momentum. Klein walked to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Niednagel. Oster singled to right, and Garrish reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Klein to score an unearned run after a dropped ball by the Huskies' catcher.

UConn's final run came in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI ground out, trimming the score to 9-6.

The Falcons put the game away in the ninth. Elmore was hit by a pitch and replaced by pinch runner Blake Campbell, who moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Klein reached on a throwing error, allowing Campbell to score. Garrish then sealed the win with a bang, sending a two-run shot over the right centerfield fence to right-center

Rhyne closed the contest with three strikeouts in the final inning.

UP NEXT
Air Force baseball will conclude their stint at the MLB Desert Invitational on Monday Feb. 16 with a final game against Kansas State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. MT at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz.

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.

Next Event

Team Stats

Tripp Garrish

T.J. Oster

Kayden Bradshaw

Christian Taylor

Players Mentioned

Kayden Bradshaw

Blake Campbell

Ethan Dillinger

Marcus Downing

Luke Elmore

Tripp Garrish

Wyatt Hanoian

Van Klein

Ben Niednagel

T.J. Oster

Davis Rhyne

Christian Taylor

Walker Zapp

Footer