Air Force secured a 12-6 victory over Connecticut at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Sunday evening. The Falcons improved to a 2-1 record while UConn fell to 0-3.
Tripp Garrish led the offense with two hits in six at-bats, including Air Force’s first home run of the season. He also drove in two runs and scored twice. Walker Zapp and Van Klein each contributed two RBIs.
Starting pitcher Ethan Dillinger struck out four but allowed five runs on five hits over 3.1 innings. Marcus Downing followed with two scoreless innings, earning his first career win and matching his personal best with three strikeouts. Davis Rhyne finished the game by pitching the last 3.2 innings, recording four strikeouts and giving up just one run for his first career save.
The Falcons began strong, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning after Garrish singled to left and Wyatt Hanoian walked. Christian Taylor was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Zapp walked in a run. Luke Elmore grounded out to bring home another runner, and Klein hit a two-RBI single.
After two quiet innings, Air Force extended its lead with four more runs in the fourth inning. Ben Niednagel walked and T.J. Oster singled before Kayden Bradshaw drew another walk to load the bases. Hanoian’s sacrifice fly brought in one run, Taylor added a two-run single, and Zapp drove in Bradshaw with another single.
Connecticut narrowed the gap with five runs in their half of the fourth inning but could not catch up.
Air Force added another run in the fifth after Klein reached base on a walk and later scored on an error by UConn’s catcher following a fielder’s choice from Garrish.
UConn managed one final run in the eighth inning before Air Force put away the game with three additional runs in the ninth. Campbell scored after replacing Elmore as a pinch runner; Klein reached base on an error, and Garrish capped off his night with a two-run home run.
Rhyne closed out UConn’s chances by striking out three batters in the final frame.
Air Force will wrap up its appearance at the MLB Desert Invitational against Kansas State on Monday at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona.
