Air Force Concludes Salute the Troops Weekend with Loss to South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Falcons (2–5) dropped a tightly contested 4–2 decision to South Carolina (6–2) on Sunday afternoon at Founders Park, closing out Salute the Troops Weekend. Air Force tallied eight hits at the plate while the pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts in the hard-fought matchup.

Ethan Dillinger took his second start of the season, working 1.2 innings with a pair of strikeouts and allowing four runs. Bowen Brantingham delivered strong middle relief, tying his career high with 4.1 innings pitched and striking out five without allowing a run. Closer Davis Rhyne was equally effective, striking out four over two scoreless innings.

Offensively, freshmen Wyatt Hanoian and Brooks Burdine each drove in a run, while Tripp Garrish led the way at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a run scored.

The Falcons struck first in the top of the opening inning. With two outs, Garrish singled and later scored after Burdine was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving Air Force a 1–0 lead.

South Carolina answered in the bottom of the first with a solo home run to even the score.

The Gamecocks added three runs in the second inning to take a 4–1 advantage.

Air Force flashed its defense in the third, highlighted by a diving stop from Hanoian at second base and a runner caught stealing by catcher Van Klein. The Falcons turned a double play in the fourth to keep the Gamecocks in check.

The Falcons trimmed the deficit in the top of the fifth. Kayden Bradshaw singled and advanced before Hanoian lined a single through the left side to bring Bradshaw home, cutting the score to 4–2.

Air Force threatened again in the eighth as Christian Taylor singled and advanced to third, but a strikeout ended the rally. Rhyne worked out of trouble in the bottom half, stranding a Gamecock runner at third with two strikeouts.

In the top of nine, Ben Niednagel reached on a throwing error and moved into scoring position, but the Falcons were unable to capitalize.

Air Force's game against Charleston scheduled for Monday, Feb. 23, was canceled due to forecasted weather. The Falcons return to action Friday, Feb. 27, against Oral Roberts and Dallas Baptist.

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