Information from Arizona’s media-relations department contributed to this report:
The Arizona Wildcats collected 16 runs on a season-high 22 hits to beat the Air Force Falcons in the series opener on Friday night at Hi Corbett Field.
Arizona (24-19) ended a four-game losing streak the victory in the non-conference game.
Center fielder Mac Bingham and first baseman Kiko Romero both collected four hits to lead the lineup.
Arizona’s 22 hits were the most posted by the Wildcats since May 23, 2019, when the Wildcats notched 24 hits in a 21-4 win at Washington State.
Romero, a Canyon del Oro graduate, produced six RBIs to extend his lead in the Pac-12 in that category with 64. He hit his 13th home run of the year, a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Starting pitcher Cam Walty (4-0) kept his perfect record intact with another quality start, going seven innings and matching his season high with eight strikeouts while allowing just three runs.
Right-handed reliever Dawson Netz entered with the bases loaded and no outs in the eighth inning and worked out of the jam without allowing a run.
Air Force (22-25) took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first but the Wildcats responded immediately with a two-run bottom of the frame to even things up. Arizona took the lead in the second inning and never looked back, out-scoring the Falcons 13-2 over the remainder of the game.
Five Arizona batters had at least three hits:
1B Romero: 4 for 5, four runs, double, HR, six RBIs
3B Tony Bullard: 3 for 4, two runs, two RBIs
CF Bingham: 4 for 6, run, double, RBI
SS Nik McClaughry: 3 for 6, two runs, two RBIs
DH Emilio Corona: 3 for 5, two runs, RBI