COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Interstat) — The Air Force Falcons erupted for 10 runs in the sixth inning, turning a tight Mountain West contest into a rout and defeating the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 16-5 on Friday at Falcon Baseball Field.

The Falcons, who entered the game with four wins, improved to 5-11 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Runnin’ Rebels, who had won 13 of their first 18 games, fell to 13-6, 0-1.

The game’s trajectory shifted dramatically in the bottom of the sixth. Leading 8-5, Air Force sent 14 batters to the plate against three UNLV pitchers. The inning featured five hits, four walks, a balk and a pivotal three-run homer by Landon Boyd that capped the scoring barrage.

Designated hitter Tripp Garrish was the catalyst for Air Force, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, four RBIs and three runs scored. His two-run homer in the fifth inning had extended the Falcons’ lead to 8-5, and he added an RBI single during the sixth-inning explosion.

Landon Boyd’s three-run blast off UNLV reliever Gavyn Bowen was the inning’s exclamation point, bringing home Luke Elmore and Sam Campbell. Elmore also had a prolific day at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Wyatt Hanoian drove in three runs, including two on a single in the sixth.

The offensive onslaught made a winner of reliever Richard Rutledge III and overshadowed a strong start from UNLV’s Carson Lane, who had held Air Force hitless through the first two innings. Lane ultimately was charged with eight earned runs over five innings, walking five and striking out three.

UNLV built an early 5-1 lead, capitalizing on control issues by Air Force starter Holst in the second inning. Jonny Rodriguez keyed the rally with a two-run double, and Kade Myro drove in two more with a fielder’s choice.

Air Force began chipping away in its half of the second on an RBI groundout by Campbell. The Falcons then took the lead for good with a four-run third inning, fueled by a two-run single from Garrish and a two-run single from Elmore that was compounded by a UNLV throwing error.

Sam Hentges pitched a perfect seventh inning in relief for Air Force to close out the game.

Rodriguez was a bright spot for UNLV, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. The Runnin’ Rebels were limited to six hits total and left multiple runners on base in the middle innings.

The victory was a significant upset according to pregame projections. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of UNLV 8, Air Force 1, and its ELO system gave the Runnin’ Rebels a 54.3 percent probability to win.

The two teams continue their three-game series Saturday at Falcon Baseball Field.