AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (Interstat) — In a staggering display of late-inning offense, Air Force rallied from a five-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth to stun UNLV 18-16 in the first game of a Mountain West conference doubleheader on Saturday.

The Falcons scored six runs in their final at-bat, capped by a three-run, walk-off home run from Sam Elmore, to snatch victory after the Runnin’ Rebels had erupted for seven runs in the top of the ninth to take a 16-12 lead.

The game, a four-hour marathon defined by offensive fireworks and pitching struggles, saw the teams combine for 34 hits and numerous lead changes. UNLV fell to 13-8 overall and 0-2 in conference play, while Air Force improved to 6-11 and 2-0.

The most important sequence of the game was the bottom of the ninth inning, a half-inning of sheer chaos that overturned what appeared to be a certain UNLV victory. Trailing 16-12, Air Force saw leadoff hitter Jayden Boyd strike out. Pinch-hitter Chase Anstey then walked and took second on defensive indifference. After a walk to Jake Bradshaw put two on, UNLV reliever Sam Gomberg struck out Luke Niednagel for the second out.

Down to their final strike, the Falcons ignited. Brayden Zapp laced a two-run single to right, scoring Anstey and Bradshaw to cut the deficit to 16-14. After a mound visit, Aidan Hanoian delivered an RBI single to right, bringing home Zapp to make it 16-15. Sam Garrish was then hit by a pitch, prompting another UNLV pitching change.

With new pitcher Will Sundloff on the mound and runners at first and second, Sam Elmore stepped in. On a 1-1 count, Elmore launched a deep drive to right field for his second home run of the season, a three-run shot that triggered a celebration at the plate as Air Force completed the improbable comeback.

The frantic finish overshadowed UNLV’s own dramatic rally in the top of the ninth. Down 12-9, the Rebels sent 14 batters to the plate against three Air Force pitchers, scoring seven runs on six hits, two hit-by-pitches, and a walk. Nin Burns delivered a two-run single, Jonny Rodriguez and Cooper Sheff added RBI singles, Jack Salmon knocked in another run, and pinch-hitter Ayden Garcia lifted a sacrifice fly. An RBI triple by leadoff man Myro and a run-scoring fielder’s choice by Reggie Bussey completed the outburst, giving UNLV its short-lived 16-12 advantage.

Air Force had built its lead earlier with two massive innings. Trailing 4-1 in the fourth, Boyd launched a grand slam, his fifth homer of the year, to highlight a five-run frame and give the Falcons a 6-4 lead. They added seven more in the fifth, powered by a three-run homer from AJ Burdine and a two-run single from Boyd, to surge ahead 11-5.

UNLV chipped away, getting a solo homer from Sheff in the sixth and a solo shot from Bussey in the seventh. Bussey finished 3 for 5 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored. Burns went 3 for 4 with three RBIs, while Salmon was 3 for 5 with two RBIs. Sheff also homered and drove in two.

For Air Force, Boyd drove in six runs on his grand slam and single. Elmore’s final swing gave him four RBIs, while Zapp and Hanoian each had two RBIs.

The win gave Air Force a series victory after taking the opener 16-5 on Friday. The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.