Air Force lost a close game to Dallas Baptist University (DBU) on Sunday at Horner Ballpark in Dallas, with the final score 16–15. The Falcons now hold a record of 2-8 for the season, while DBU improved to 8-4.
The Falcons recorded their highest offensive output so far this year, scoring 15 runs and matching their season-best with 14 hits. They also set a new high with 14 RBIs. Six pitchers from Air Force combined for a total of 11 strikeouts during the game.
Walker Zapp and Wyatt Hanoian each contributed three hits and four RBIs. Luke Elmore added three RBIs and hit his first home run of the season. Kayden Bradshaw drove in two runs, while Christian Taylor brought in one run.
Bowen Brantingham started for Air Force, pitching four innings with four strikeouts but allowing six earned runs. Ethan Dillinger and Gunner Gilmore each pitched briefly in relief, recording one strikeout apiece. Davis Rhyne provided middle relief over 2.1 innings, striking out three batters and giving up two runs. Patrick Davidson pitched one inning, allowing three runs and striking out one batter. Jordan Watkins made his collegiate debut, recording one strikeout but giving up the deciding run.
DBU took an early lead with a grand slam in the second inning to go ahead 4–0.
Air Force responded strongly in the fifth inning by sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs on six hits. This rally included Bradshaw’s two-RBI single, Zapp’s double that drove in two more runs followed by stolen bases—including stealing home—and Elmore’s three-run homer.
DBU answered back immediately with another grand slam in their half of the fifth inning to regain a 10–9 lead.
In the sixth inning, after loading the bases due to hit batters, Zapp singled up the middle to bring home two runners for an Air Force lead of 11–10.
A solo home run by DBU tied it again at 11-11 in their half of the sixth before they went ahead once more with another home run in the seventh.
Air Force continued battling back; Hanoian cleared loaded bases with a double down the left-field line in the eighth inning for a temporary lead of 14–12. He later extended that lead to 15–12 in the ninth after driving Zapp across home plate with a single.
However, DBU scored four times in their last at-bat to secure a walk-off victory at 16–15.
Air Force will continue its road trip on Monday against UT Arlington Mavericks at Clay Gould Ballpark.
