GOODYEAR, Ariz., – The Air Force baseball team opens its 2026 season Friday, February 13, against Penn State at the MLB Desert Invitational, marking the program’s debut in the prestigious tournament. First pitch at Goodyear Ballpark is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain Time.
Falcons Launch 2026 Campaign at Desert Invitational
Air Force begins a four-game stretch in Arizona, facing Iowa, UConn, and Kansas State in addition to the Nittany Lions.
- The Falcons are one of four first-time participants in the 7th annual MLB Desert Invitational.
- Air Force returns 25 letterwinners and seven starters from its 2025 squad.
- Senior catcher Walker Zapp, a 2026 Mountain West Preseason All-Conference selection, leads the offense.
What can fans expect from the Air Force baseball team this season? A blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, eager to improve upon a 20-34 record from 2025. The team boasts a core of returning players and a determined mindset, according to Head Coach Mike Kazlausky, who said, “The guys have great energy and are getting hype for some play time.”
A Familiar Foe in Penn State
The Falcons and Nittany Lions have met only once before, back in 2008, with Penn State securing a 12-2 victory. This contest offers Air Force a chance to rewrite that chapter and start the 2026 season with a statement win.
Lineup Preview: Experienced Core and Fresh Faces
Air Force’s projected starting lineup features a mix of returning power and exciting new talent. Here’s a look at the anticipated batting order, with 2025 on-base plus slugging (OPS) figures where available:
- L/L Brooks Burdine (RF) (-)
- R/R Kayden Bradshaw (CF) (.542)
- R/R Tripp Garrish (DH) (.914)
- R/R Walker Zapp (C) (.999)
- R/R Luke Elmore (1B) (.833)
- R/R T.J. Oster (2B) (.678)
- R/R Christian Taylor (LF) (.797)
- L/R Ben Niednagel (SS) (.722)
- S/R Wyatt Hanoian (3B) (-)
Leadership and Pitching Staff
Seniors Walker Zapp and Joey Collier will serve as team captains, providing leadership both on and off the field. Zapp, who batted .330 with seven home runs and 18 doubles in 2025, was also named the #44 backstop in the country by D1 Baseball.
On the mound, the Falcons will rely on experienced pitchers like Ethan Dillinger, Cranz Smelcer, and Gaines Estridge. Estridge is slated to start the season opener, bringing 36.1 innings and 23 strikeouts from his 17 appearances last year. Reliever Patrick Davidson, who led the team with five wins and three saves in 2025, will also be a key contributor.
New Blood Injects Energy
Air Force welcomes 15 freshmen to the roster, all of whom are true freshmen due to the Academy’s unique restrictions on transfers and name, image, and likeness deals. Lefty Josh Holst is projected to make his collegiate debut against Iowa on Saturday, February 14, while right-handed pitcher Jordan Watkins is expected to be a strong addition to the pitching staff. In the field, Wyatt Hanoian and Brooks Burdine are poised to make an impact.
Scouting the Nittany Lions
Penn State enters the 2026 season after a successful 33-23 campaign in 2025, finishing 15-15 in Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions reached the conference tournament semifinals before falling to Nebraska.
What’s the key to Air Force’s success this season? According to Coach Kazlausky, it’s all about the fundamentals: “doing the little things correct.”
