Falcons Dominate Northern Colorado in Run-Rule Fashion, 18-6

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., - Air Force (11-15) secured its fourth run-rule victory of the season with an 18-6 win over Northern Colorado (6-24) on Tuesday afternoon at Erdle Field. The Falcons delivered a season-best offensive performance, totaling 18 hits, six doubles, and eight stolen bases while the pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts.

Dawson Thrush led the offense with two hits, including his first career home run, and four RBIs. Tripp Garrish finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBIs, while Luke Elmore, T.J. Oster, and Van Klein each added two RBIs.

In his first start of the season, Marcus Downing earned his third win, allowing one run over three innings with a career-high five strikeouts. Aiden Poe, Ethan Dillinger, and Charlie Russell each contributed an inning of relief before Tyler Russ struck out three in his collegiate debut in the seventh.

Air Force jumped out early with a five-run first inning, 5-0. Kayden Bradshaw led off with a single, stole second, and scored on a Wyatt Hanoian single and error. Garrish followed with a single and advanced to third on another error, allowing Hanoian to score. Three consecutive RBI hits and a rundown that brought home Oster capped the inning.

The Falcons extended the lead to 9-0 in the second. Klein highlighted the frame with a 383-foot home run, his second of the season. Bradshaw later walked, stole a base, and scored on a Ben Niednagel double. Garrish added an RBI double before Elmore closed the inning with a sacrifice fly.

Northern Colorado got on the board with a home run in the third, but Air Force answered in the bottom half. Brooks Burdine walked, advanced, and scored on a Klein single to make it 10-1.

The Bears cut into the deficit in the fourth, but the Falcons responded with six runs on five hits in the bottom of the inning. Hanoian tripled to open the frame and scored on Garrish's double. Oster added an RBI double before Thrush's three-run homer extended the lead, the first long ball of his career. Additional walks and a wild pitch plated another run.

Air Force added two final runs in the sixth. Elmore reached, stole second, and advanced before Burdine drove in a run on a groundout. Thrush followed with an RBI single to score Oster.

Northern Colorado plated two in the sixth, but the deficit held at 18-6 to secure the run-rule victory.

Air Force travels to face San Diego State from April 2–4 at Tony Gwynn Stadium.

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