Air Force Secures Series with Ten-Run Inning to Defeat Fresno State, 15-13

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Fresno St.	2	0	1	1	2	5	0	0	2	13	17	2
Air Force	0	4	0	0	1	0	0	10	X	15	13	0

Fresno St.

Air Force

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Air Force (14-18, 7-4) secured the series over Fresno State (10-21-1, 1-9-1) with a 15–13 win, erupting for 10 runs in the bottom of the eighth on Saturday afternoon at Erdle Field. The Falcons totaled 13 hits, highlighted by Cole Jenkins' grand slam, while the pitching staff recorded four strikeouts.

Sophomore Cole Jenkins led the charge, going 2-for-4 with his first career home run, a grand slam, while scoring three times. Kayden Bradshaw, Ben Niednagel, and Luke Elmore each drove in two runs.

Starting pitcher Ethan Dillinger turned in a season-high 4.2 innings with three strikeouts, allowing six runs. Jordan Watkins recorded one out in relief, surrendering four runs, before Trey Rutledge tossed a full inning with one run allowed. Charlie Russell (1-0) earned his first win of the season with two scoreless frames, and Patrick Davidson closed the door in the ninth to collect his second save.

Once again, Fresno State struck first, taking a 2–0 lead in the opening inning.

The Falcons answered in the second, plating four runs to move ahead 4–2. Walker Zapp and Tripp Garrish reached to start the frame before Elmore doubled to bring both home. With the bases loaded, Bradshaw and Niednagel added RBIs to extend the lead.

The Bulldogs responded with a solo home run in the third and later evened the score at 4–4 before taking a 6–4 advantage in the fifth.

Wyatt Hanoian cut into the deficit with a leadoff home run in the fourth, his third of the season, but Fresno State surged ahead with five runs in the sixth to build an 11–5 lead.

The Falcons exploded in the bottom of the eighth, scoring 10 runs on nine hits to take a 15–11 lead. Garrish sparked the rally with a double before Jenkins singled and Landon Boyd drove in a run with an infield hit. Garrett Hutchins followed with a two-RBI double, and Bradshaw drove in three to keep the momentum rolling. Niednagel added another RBI single before Hanoian and Zapp reached to load the bases. With two outs, Jenkins delivered the knockout blow, launching a 396-foot grand slam over the left field fence to cap the inning and put Air Force in front for good.

Fresno State threatened in the ninth, scoring two runs, but Davidson shut the door with a strikeout, groundout, and flyout to secure the series-clinching victory.
The Falcons will look to complete the sweep in the series finale on Sunday, April 12 at noon at Erdle Field.

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