Falcons Fall in Extras to the Texans

STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Air Force (10-14) came up just short in extra innings, falling 7-6 to Tarleton State (18-8) on a walk-off RBI double in the 11th inning Saturday afternoon at the Tarleton State Baseball Complex. The Falcons totaled seven hits while the pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts in the narrow defeat.

Freshman Wyatt Hanoian led the offense with three RBIs on a key double, while Ben Niednagel and T.J. Oster each added an RBI.

Gaines Estridge delivered a strong start, tossing six innings with four strikeouts and allowing just two earned runs. Trey Rutledge followed with two innings of relief, and Davis Rhyne added a strikeout in his outing. Ethan Dillinger was sharp in 1.2 hitless innings, matching his season high with four strikeouts, while Sam Hentges struck out three over two scoreless frames. Easton Miller recorded one out and allowed the deciding run in the 11th.

Tarleton State opened the scoring in the third inning and extended its lead to 4-0 with a three-run homer in the fourth.

Air Force responded in the fifth, using a four-run rally to even the score at 4-4. With two outs, Van Klein and Niednagel worked consecutive walks before Oster was hit by a pitch to load the bases. A passed ball brought in the Falcons' first run, and after Tripp Garrish drew a walk to reload the bases, Hanoian delivered a three-run double to tie the game.

The Texans regained the lead in the seventh, going ahead 6-4.

The Falcons answered again in the ninth to force extra innings. Pinch hitter Dawson Thrush opened the frame with a single, and Garrett Hutchins followed with his first collegiate hit, a double down the right-field line, to put two in scoring position. Niednagel drove in Thrush with a single, and pinch runner Cole Jenkins later scored the tying run on a throwing error.

Tarleton State secured the win in the bottom of the 11th with a walk-off RBI double to seal the 7-6 final.

Air Force will look to salvage the series in Sunday's finale, scheduled for 12 p.m. CT/11 a.m. MT.

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Team Stats

Dawson Thrush

Ben Niednagel

T.J. Oster

Tripp Garrish

Players Mentioned

Ethan Dillinger

Gaines Estridge

Tripp Garrish

Wyatt Hanoian

Sam Hentges

Garrett Hutchins

Cole Jenkins

Van Klein

Easton Miller

Ben Niednagel

T.J. Oster

Davis Rhyne

Trey Rutledge

Dawson Thrush

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