Friday, May 8
USAFA, CO
3 p.m. MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Washington State University
Falcons Host Washington State for Final Home Series and Senior Day
5/7/2026 10:26:00 AM | Baseball
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo., - Air Force baseball (23-22, 14-7) is set to host Washington State (25-23, 13-9) in their final home and Mountain West series of the 2026 season at Erdle Field from May 8-10. On Sunday, the Falcons will honor the six-man senior class with a special recognition ceremony during pregame.
SCHEDULE
Friday May 8 | vs. Washington State | 3 p.m. MT | Erdle Field
Saturday May 9 | vs. Washington State | 1 p.m. MT | Erdle Field | Ceremonial First Pitch | Free Whataburger
Sunday May 10 | vs. Washington State | 12 p.m. MT | Erdle Field | Senior Day
MEDIA
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
BASE ACCESS
Access procedures at the U.S. Air Force Academy continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, anyone without a DoD ID card must obtain a visitor pass to enter the base.
New this year: Passes will now be issued monthly instead of requiring a separate submission for each event. This means ticket holders only need to complete the form once per month to gain access to all events during that time. Ticket holders can request a base pass using this link.
After registering, you will receive a message on our phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans must also present their game tickets at each venue. All tickets and credentialed attendees can enter through the North or South gate. North gate is recommended for access to athletic fields; while fans are encouraged to use the North and South gates for football games.
Note: When completing the information from the link, please use the information directly from your driver's license (Robert vs. Bob). Your ID must also be REAL ID compliant. Anyone under 18 will not be required to do a QR code.
ALL-TIME VERSUS WASHINGTON STATE
The two programs have totaled seven matchups with the Cougars holding the overall winning record of 4-3, while both teams have scored an even 53 runs over time. The first meeting was in 2007 as part of the S.P.O.R.T Banana Belt Classic in Pullman, Wash. Last season, the teams played two MW series, with the Falcons taking the first 2-1 and WSU winning the second 2-1.
PITCHING MATCHUPS (ERA)
Friday | RHP Aiden Poe (6.55) vs. LHP Nick Lewis (3.50)
Saturday | LHP Ethan Dillinger (8.81) vs. RHP Griffin Smith (5.51)
Sunday | TBD vs. TBD
PROBABLE STARTERS (OPS)
AIR FORCE RANKED NATIONALLY
Stolen Bases -8th (132)
Stolen Bases/Game - 7th (2.93)
Runs - 15th (411)
Scoring - 6th (9.1)
OB% - 31st (.414)
4th Wyatt Hanoian (.540)
BA - 24th (.307)
Doubles - 12th (109)
Doubles/Game - 7th (2.42)
STANDOUT SENIORS
Air Force will honor their six-man senior class of Landon Boyd, Joey Collier, Tripp Garrish, Ben Niednagel, T.J. Oster, and Walker Zapp, on Sunday during pregame. Each of them will report to pilot training upon graduation.
The class of 2026 helped bring in 98 Falcon wins of the course of their career, in addition to other historical feats. In 2023 they aided the Falcons to the MW Championship game, won the MW Regular Season title in 2024, and has been a vital role in the 2026 team's berth to the conference championship tournament.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Falcons are a perfect 14-0 at Erdle Field after completing a 6-0 homestand and are the lone NCAA DI institution to go unbeaten on home turf. Air Force's most consecutive home wins, 16, was in 1971 and this is the best home start since the Birds marked four consecutive home wins in 2021.
When at Erdle Field, the Falcons are batting .400 with a SLG% of .727 and have recorded 199 runs off 196 hits, including 29 homers, to outscore opponents 199-109. The pitching staff has tossed 117 innings on the bump with 98 strikeouts and have seen nine different hurlers pick up wins while Patrick Davidson and Sam Hentges earned two saves apiece.
ON TOP IN ALBUQUEQUE
Last weekend, Air Force claimed the three-game series over New Mexico, after dropping Friday's game. After taking game three, 8-4, the Falcons secured their berth to the Mountain West tournament.
Overall, the Falcons batted .274 with 11 extra base hits, 26 runs scored, and eight stolen bases.
The pitchers posted a 4.50 ERA with 13 earned runs allowed and 17 strikeouts.
STARTING SLOT
Aiden Poe (3-1) is slated to take his second Mountain West start on Friday, marking his fourth start of the season. The freshman has totaled an ERA of 6.55 across 12 appearances. In his 33 innings of work, he has struck out 24 batters and allowed 24 earned runs. His standout performance of the season was against Grand Canyon when he tossed 6.2 scoreless frames with four hits and four strikeouts. Against San Jose State, Poe struck out four Spartans and gave up a pair of earned runs in 2.2 innings.
Junior Ethan Dillinger (0-1) is set to take his seventh start of the season on Saturday against Washington State. The LHP has totaled 31.2 innings on the mound with 14 appearances for 32 strikeouts and an ERA of 8.81. Most recently at UNM, Dillinger tied his career-high with five scoreless innings and a pair of strikeouts. Against Fresno State, he went 4.2 frames with a trio of Ks before tossing 3.1 frames with two earned runs and a pair of strikeouts at Grand Canyon.
A LOOK AT WASHINGTON STATE
The Cougars currently mark a record of 25-23 with a Mountain West line of 13-8, and are looking for a berth in the conference tournament. They are coming off a 10-5 loss at Gonzaga and a series win over Fresno State (5-1, 17-0, 4-5). They swept Grand Canyon and won series over UNLV, New Mexico, Fresno State, and San Jose State.
Offensively, Washington State is batting .282with 443 hits and a slugging percentage of .431. They have been outscored by opponents 321-308 and are led by Gavin Roy with an average of .345.
On the mound, the Cougars have totaled a team ERA of 6.32 with 321 runs allowed and 288 strikeouts in 404.2 innings.
SCHEDULE
Friday May 8 | vs. Washington State | 3 p.m. MT | Erdle Field
Saturday May 9 | vs. Washington State | 1 p.m. MT | Erdle Field | Ceremonial First Pitch | Free Whataburger
Sunday May 10 | vs. Washington State | 12 p.m. MT | Erdle Field | Senior Day
MEDIA
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
BASE ACCESS
Access procedures at the U.S. Air Force Academy continue to affect athletic events. While the installation remains open, anyone without a DoD ID card must obtain a visitor pass to enter the base.
New this year: Passes will now be issued monthly instead of requiring a separate submission for each event. This means ticket holders only need to complete the form once per month to gain access to all events during that time. Ticket holders can request a base pass using this link.
After registering, you will receive a message on our phone to present at the gate when entering the Academy. Fans must also present their game tickets at each venue. All tickets and credentialed attendees can enter through the North or South gate. North gate is recommended for access to athletic fields; while fans are encouraged to use the North and South gates for football games.
Note: When completing the information from the link, please use the information directly from your driver's license (Robert vs. Bob). Your ID must also be REAL ID compliant. Anyone under 18 will not be required to do a QR code.
ALL-TIME VERSUS WASHINGTON STATE
The two programs have totaled seven matchups with the Cougars holding the overall winning record of 4-3, while both teams have scored an even 53 runs over time. The first meeting was in 2007 as part of the S.P.O.R.T Banana Belt Classic in Pullman, Wash. Last season, the teams played two MW series, with the Falcons taking the first 2-1 and WSU winning the second 2-1.
PITCHING MATCHUPS (ERA)
Friday | RHP Aiden Poe (6.55) vs. LHP Nick Lewis (3.50)
Saturday | LHP Ethan Dillinger (8.81) vs. RHP Griffin Smith (5.51)
Sunday | TBD vs. TBD
PROBABLE STARTERS (OPS)
- Kayden Bradshaw, CF (.947)
- Ben Niednagel, SS (.978)
- Wyatt Hanoian, 2B (1.155)
- Walker Zapp, C (.908)
- Tripp Garrish, RF (.962)
- Luke Elmore, 1B (.850)
- Garrett Hutchins, DH (1.265)
- Christian Taylor, LF (.623)
- Landon Boyd, 3B (1.003)
AIR FORCE RANKED NATIONALLY
Stolen Bases -8th (132)
Stolen Bases/Game - 7th (2.93)
Runs - 15th (411)
Scoring - 6th (9.1)
OB% - 31st (.414)
4th Wyatt Hanoian (.540)
BA - 24th (.307)
Doubles - 12th (109)
Doubles/Game - 7th (2.42)
STANDOUT SENIORS
Air Force will honor their six-man senior class of Landon Boyd, Joey Collier, Tripp Garrish, Ben Niednagel, T.J. Oster, and Walker Zapp, on Sunday during pregame. Each of them will report to pilot training upon graduation.
The class of 2026 helped bring in 98 Falcon wins of the course of their career, in addition to other historical feats. In 2023 they aided the Falcons to the MW Championship game, won the MW Regular Season title in 2024, and has been a vital role in the 2026 team's berth to the conference championship tournament.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Falcons are a perfect 14-0 at Erdle Field after completing a 6-0 homestand and are the lone NCAA DI institution to go unbeaten on home turf. Air Force's most consecutive home wins, 16, was in 1971 and this is the best home start since the Birds marked four consecutive home wins in 2021.
When at Erdle Field, the Falcons are batting .400 with a SLG% of .727 and have recorded 199 runs off 196 hits, including 29 homers, to outscore opponents 199-109. The pitching staff has tossed 117 innings on the bump with 98 strikeouts and have seen nine different hurlers pick up wins while Patrick Davidson and Sam Hentges earned two saves apiece.
ON TOP IN ALBUQUEQUE
Last weekend, Air Force claimed the three-game series over New Mexico, after dropping Friday's game. After taking game three, 8-4, the Falcons secured their berth to the Mountain West tournament.
Overall, the Falcons batted .274 with 11 extra base hits, 26 runs scored, and eight stolen bases.
The pitchers posted a 4.50 ERA with 13 earned runs allowed and 17 strikeouts.
STARTING SLOT
Aiden Poe (3-1) is slated to take his second Mountain West start on Friday, marking his fourth start of the season. The freshman has totaled an ERA of 6.55 across 12 appearances. In his 33 innings of work, he has struck out 24 batters and allowed 24 earned runs. His standout performance of the season was against Grand Canyon when he tossed 6.2 scoreless frames with four hits and four strikeouts. Against San Jose State, Poe struck out four Spartans and gave up a pair of earned runs in 2.2 innings.
Junior Ethan Dillinger (0-1) is set to take his seventh start of the season on Saturday against Washington State. The LHP has totaled 31.2 innings on the mound with 14 appearances for 32 strikeouts and an ERA of 8.81. Most recently at UNM, Dillinger tied his career-high with five scoreless innings and a pair of strikeouts. Against Fresno State, he went 4.2 frames with a trio of Ks before tossing 3.1 frames with two earned runs and a pair of strikeouts at Grand Canyon.
A LOOK AT WASHINGTON STATE
The Cougars currently mark a record of 25-23 with a Mountain West line of 13-8, and are looking for a berth in the conference tournament. They are coming off a 10-5 loss at Gonzaga and a series win over Fresno State (5-1, 17-0, 4-5). They swept Grand Canyon and won series over UNLV, New Mexico, Fresno State, and San Jose State.
Offensively, Washington State is batting .282with 443 hits and a slugging percentage of .431. They have been outscored by opponents 321-308 and are led by Gavin Roy with an average of .345.
On the mound, the Cougars have totaled a team ERA of 6.32 with 321 runs allowed and 288 strikeouts in 404.2 innings.
Players Mentioned
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