Falcons Break Doubles Record in 16-6 Run-Rule Win over San Jose State

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
San Jose State	1	0	4	0	0	0	0	1	6	8	4
Air Force	0	2	5	3	0	2	2	2	16	21	0

San Jose State

Air Force

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., – Falcon baseball (20-20, 11-6) clinched the series to remain undefeated at Erdle Field with a record-breaking 16-6 run-rule victory over San Jose State (17-23, 5-9) on Saturday afternoon. Air Force totaled 13 doubles to break the program record previously set in 1988 and 2017, finishing just two shy of the NCAA single-game record. Every Falcon in the lineup recorded at least one double in the historic performance.

Sophomore Wyatt Hanoian led the offensive surge with a perfect 3-for-3 day, tallying three doubles, three runs scored and two RBIs. Luke Elmore, Garrett Hutchins and Landon Boyd each drove in three runs, while the Falcons finished with 16 runs on 21 hits.

Starter Ethan Dillinger worked three innings, allowing five runs and striking out one. Marcus Downing (6-0) earned his sixth win of the season after tossing three scoreless innings with two strikeouts in relief. Trey Rutledge closed the final two innings with one strikeout and one run allowed.

San Jose State struck first with a sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead.

Air Force answered in the second, moving ahead 2-1. Garrett Hutchins singled and Christian Taylor doubled to put runners in scoring position before Landon Boyd cleared both with a two-run triple.

The Spartans responded with four runs in the third to reclaim a 5-2 advantage, but the Falcons quickly answered with a five-run bottom half to take control for good. Hanoian, Tripp Garrish, Elmore and Boyd each delivered RBI doubles in the inning, while Hutchins added an RBI single to push Air Force in front 7-5.

The Falcons extended the lead to 10-5 in the fourth. Walker Zapp doubled to open the frame and later scored after Hanoian walked and Garrish reached on an error. Elmore added a sacrifice fly before Hutchins drove in two more with a bases-clearing double.

Air Force added two more in the sixth to stretch the lead to 12-5. Hanoian opened with another double, and Garrish reached on a San Jose State error. A failed pickoff attempt allowed one run to score before Elmore plated Garrish with an RBI single.

The Falcons made it 14-5 in the seventh after Kayden Bradshaw singled and advanced on a misplay in center field. Ben Niednagel brought him home with a double before later scoring on Hanoian's sacrifice fly.

San Jose State added its final run in the eighth, but Air Force responded immediately to end the game by run rule. Boyd reached after being hit by a pitch and scored from first on Bradshaw's double. Niednagel followed with a single, and Zapp delivered the final RBI single to secure the 16-6 victory.

Air Force will look to complete the sweep on Sunday, April 26, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. MT at Erdle Field.

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