GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The Penn State baseball team dropped a 15-3 decision to Air Force at Goodyear Ballpark on Friday in its season opener at the Desert Invitational.
Colin Fitzgerald earned the start for the Nittany Lions, tossing 3.1 innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits. Fitzgerald recorded four strikeouts and three walks. Fitgerald went over the 200-career innings mark and now sits at 202.1 innings.
Kyle Emmons worked two-thirds of an inning and struck out one. Mason Horwat went two innings, giving up five runs (two earned) on four hits. Ethan Bauerschmidt threw one inning, giving up three runs (all unearned) and striking out one. Robert Brown III went one inning, allowing four runs.
Gaines Estridge got the start for Air Force, firing six innings. He allowed no runs on two hits. He registered four strikeouts and three walks. Aiden Poe gave up three runs in one inning of work. Marcus Downing threw a scoreless eighth.
Penn State tallied three runs on four hits. Jayden Davis and Justin Turcovski each had an RBI single, while Turcovski scored a run. Kevin Karstetter and Nate Voss both singled and scored.
Air Force collected 15 runs on 14 hits. Luke Elmore drove in four runs with four hits, including a double. Brooks Burdine had three hits, two runs and an RBI. Wyatt Hanoian and Kayden Bradshaw each recorded two hits and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Air Force broke a scoreless tie in the fourth. Burdine worked a leadoff walk before stealing second. A bunt single by Elmore moved Burdine to third. Bradshaw lined a single to left to drive in Burdine. A bunt single by Ben Niednagel loaded the bases. TJ Oster bounced a grounder for a fielder’s choice as Spencer Barnett fired home for the out. However, on the play, the runner going home made contact with Nate Voss’ foot, causing an errant throw towards first and allowing Bradshaw to score. A throwing error on a pickoff play allowed Niednagel to cross the plate. The Falcons led 3-0.
The Falcons added three runs in the fifth. After singles by Burdine and Elmore, a single by Bradshaw drove in Burdine. A baserunning play resulted in Bradshaw stealing second and Elmore stealing home. A throwing error on a grounder allowed Bradshaw to score and extend the Air Force lead to 6-0.
Air Force plated two runs in the sixth. With two on and two out, Elmore lined a double to the corner in left to drive in Hanoian and Christian Taylor. They held an 8-0 advantage.
The Falcons added three runs in the seventh, helped by an error. With runners on the corners, a throwing error on a grounder by Taylor allowed Tripp Garrish to cross the plate. After Burdine walked, Elmore lined a single to right to drive in two. Air Force pushed its lead to 11-0.
Penn State answered with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Karstetter drew a one-out walk before Voss was hit by a pitch. Turcovski lined a single to center to drive in Karstetter. After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, a grounder by Cohl Mercado plated Voss. Davis followed with a single through the middle to bring home Turcovski. PSU trailed 11-3.
Air Force responded in the eighth. Hanoian ripped a two-run double to right. A sac fly on a lineout to right sent home Garrish before a single by Burdine plated Hanoian. Air Force led 15-3.
UP NEXT
Penn State takes on Grand Canyon on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled at 3 p.m. ET at Salt River Fields. The game will be broadcast on MLB Network.
The 2026 Penn State Baseball season is presented by The Family Clothesline.