Courtesy of Air Force Athletics

CORVALLIS, Ore., – Air Force (25-25) picked up their first ranked win since 2024, defeating No. 7 Oregon State (42-12) 9-6 on Friday evening at Coleman Field. Falcon batters combined for 13 hits while the pitching staff totaled 11 strikeouts.

At the plate, Walker Zapp marked a trio of hits, RBIs, and runs scored to lead, while Tripp Garrish also drove in three runs. Ben Niednagel and Christian Taylor accounted for one RBI apiece.

On the mound, Jordan Watkins took the start and threw 2.1 frames with five runs allowed. Trey Rutledge (3-0) earned the win after 3.2 shutout frames with a career-high five strikeouts. After a two-out appearance from Sam Hentges, junior Gaines Estridge went 1.1 with a pair of strikeouts. Close Patrick Davidson picked up his fourth save of the season after striking out the side in the bottom of the ninth.

The Beavers managed an early 1-0 lead in the first, before a solo homer put them up 2-0 in the bottom of the second.

Air Force responded with fire and took over in front, 4-2, in the top of three. Back-to-back singles put Elmore and Boyd on base before Niednagel loaded them on a walk. Zapp came in clutch with a bases-clearing double to take the lead. A fielder’s choice to Garrish allowed Zapp to plate the fourth run of the frame.

OSU managed to level the board at 4-4, in the bottom of the third inning.

In the top of the fourth, the Falcons pulled ahead 6-4. A trio of singles from Hutchins, Boyd, and Oster juiced the bases. During Niednagel’s at-bat, the Beavers’ second baseman made a fielding error that allowed a pair of runners to score.

Oregon State plated one run on a wild pitch in the bottom of four, 6-5.

Garrish recorded his second homer of the weekend as the leadoff batter in the top of the fifth, extending the Falcons’ lead to 7-5.

The seventh saw the Birds pull into an 8-5 advantage after Zapp and Hanoian marked consecutive singles and Garrish drove one run in with a groundout to the shortstop.

The Beavers attempted a comeback but could only score one run in the bottom of the stretch, 8-6.

Air Force solidified their victory at 9-6 in the top of the ninth. Zapp led off the frame with a double and later scored on an RBI single from Taylor.

The rubber match is set for Saturday May 16 at 1:35 p.m. PT/2:35 p.m. MT at Coleman Field.