The Air Force Falcons baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader against Baylor on March 8 at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark. The Falcons fell 5-4 in the first game and 6-1 in the second, bringing their season record to 3-11 while Baylor improved to 9-6.
These games were significant as they marked another challenging outing for the Falcons, who have struggled early in the season. Despite tallying nine hits in each contest and recording a combined total of 14 strikeouts from their pitching staff, Air Force was unable to secure a win.
In the opener, Tripp Garrish led Air Force with two hits and an RBI. J.D. Wolff, Kayden Bradshaw, and Cam Anstey also contributed RBIs. Josh Holst started the game Saturday evening but only pitched 1.1 innings before weather suspended play. When play resumed Sunday, Jordan Watkins took over on the mound and allowed four runs over three innings. Marcus Downing finished out the game for Air Force.
The Falcons scored first but saw Baylor take control after play resumed, including a three-run home run that put them ahead 5-1 by the fifth inning. Air Force rallied late in the ninth with three runs but ultimately fell short by one run.
In game two, seniors Garrish, Walker Zapp, and Ben Niednagel each had two hits for Air Force. Zapp drove in the team’s only run with an RBI double in the third inning after singles from Blake Campbell and Garrish. Bowen Brantingham started on the mound for Air Force and struck out four batters over 4.1 innings but allowed three earned runs.
Baylor took an early lead and broke open the second game with a four-run fourth inning to make it 6-1. Although Air Force had several chances with runners on base throughout both games, they could not convert those opportunities into more runs.
Looking ahead, Air Force will return home next weekend for its home opener and begin conference play by hosting UNLV from March 13 through March 15 at Erdle Field.
