Falcons Roll Past Lobos, 11-1, to Split Series

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Air Force	1	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	11	13	1
New Mexico	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	8	1

Air Force

New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Falcons split the series with New Mexico after an 11-1 victory in game two on Saturday afternoon at Lobo Baseball Field. Air Force recorded 13 hits while the pitching staff combined for five strikeouts.

At the plate, Ben Niednagel and Walker Zapp each drove in three runs on one hit apiece. Kayden Bradshaw, Wyatt Hanoian, Christian Taylor, and Landon Boyd also contributed with one RBI each.

Ethan Dillinger (1-1) got the start on the mound, delivering five scoreless innings to match his career high while striking out two to earn his first win of the season. Gaines Estridge followed with four innings of relief, allowing just one run and striking out three to secure his first save.

Air Force struck early, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Bradshaw opened the game with a single, moved to second after Niednagel was hit by a pitch, and scored on a single through the left side by Hanoian.

The Falcons broke things open in the second inning, extending their lead to 7-0. Luke Elmore and Garrett Hutchins reached base to start the inning before Taylor drove in a run with a single. Boyd followed with a base hit to load the bases, setting up Bradshaw for an RBI single. Niednagel then cleared the bases with a double to the right-field corner before coming around to score on a groundout by Zapp.

New Mexico broke the shutout in the bottom of the seventh, making it 7-1.

Air Force added four more runs in the ninth to seal the 11-1 win. Taylor led off with a double and scored on Boyd's RBI single. After Bradshaw drew a walk, the Falcons executed aggressive baserunning that resulted in another run crossing the plate. Zapp capped the scoring with a two-run shot just inside the left-field pole.

The series rubber match is set for Sunday, May 3 at 12 p.m. MT at Lobo Baseball Field.

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