Friday, February 15
Baton Rouge, LA
11 a.m. MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Army West Point
Air Force Opens 2019 Season in Baton Rouge
2/14/2019 4:21:00 PM | Baseball
The Falcons will face four different opponents over four days
SCHEDULE
Army West Point - Friday, Feb. 15 - 11 a.m. MT
Louisiana Monroe - Saturday, Feb. 16 - 5 p.m. MT
No. 1 LSU - Sunday, Feb. 17 - 2 p.m. MT
Southern U. - Monday, Feb. 18 - 12 p.m. MT
- All games at Alex Box Stadium - Baton Rouge, La.
Falcons Open 2019 In Baton Rouge
The Air Force Academy baseball team opens its 2019 season down on the Bayou in Baton Rouge, La. as the Falcons will take on four different opponents over a four day span at LSU's Alex Box Stadium. The year begins with Service Academy rival Army West Point, Friday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. MT. Saturday, AF will face UL Monroe for the first time in program history at 5 p.m. MT. Sunday, the Falcons play the host Tigers, who come into the year ranked No. 1 in the country in the coaches poll, at 2 p.m. MT. Finally, the series concludes with Southern University on Monday at noon MT.
Following Along At Home
All four games will have live stats through Statbroadcast. The LSU game will be streamed through ESPN 3 on the SEC Network, and will also have a radio stream online. Monday's game against Southern will also have an audio stream on their website. All four games can also be followed live on Twitter, @AF_Baseball.
Falcons In Season Openers
- Air Force is 35-27 all-time in season openers.
- Last year, the Falcons fell at Hawaii in the lid lifter, 4-0.
- Head coach Mike Kazlausky is 4-4 in season-openers.
Ready Preseason All-American
For the second consecutive season, senior infielder Nic Ready was named a Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball News. Ready earns the honor after being named to the CBN All-American Third Team at the conclusion of the 2018 season. Ready had a banner junior season where he led the Mountain West Conference with 20 home runs and 74 RBIs. The Dallas, Texas, native batted .341 on the year, while also recording a team-best 30 game hitting streak and 38-game reached base streak. The junior ranked first in the MW in seven categories overall. Nationally, Ready was seventh in the country in home runs, eighth in RBIs, and tenth in both slugging (.699) and total bases (160). Ready was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West team as well, earning that honor for the third straight season.
Who's Back
- Air Force returns 22 letterwinners.
- The Falcons are led by an 11-man senior class
- Air Force returns six starters.
Sr. 1B Nic Ready
Sr. C Rob Dau
Sr. OF Drew Wiss
Sr. OF/DH Daniel Jones
Sr. 2B Colby Brown
Jr. OF Ashton Easley
- Air Force's Starting Rotation has three seniors
Sr. RHP Tyler Mortenson (2018 Wknd. Starter)
Sr. RHP Matt Hargreaves (2018 Wknd. Starter)
Sr. LHP Ethan Nichols (19 career starts)
- Air Force also returns its closer in senior RHP Jake Gilbert.
Key Losses
- Air Force lost 10 letterwinners from a season ago, including three starters and two primary starting pitchers
- Four year starter at SS Tyler Zabojnik graduated in 2018. He finished as AF's all-time leader in games played, at bats, and assists, while finishing second in doubles.
- Utility man Ryan Robb graduated, he finished second on the team in 2018 in batting average (.342) while leading AF in hits (79), triples (5), and steals (19).
- On the mound, Ryan Holloway and Nick Biancalana split time as the third starter/midweek starter. Biancalana was the team's season ERA leader with a 2.22, while Holloway finished with a 4.20 mark over 60 innings.
Who's New
Air Force welcomes 14 newcomers to the team, including eight pitchers. The class is highlighted by projected starting shortstop Tommy Gillman, the younger brother of assistant coach C.J. Gillman. He joins the Falcons with junior eligibility after playing his freshman season at Texas A&M and last year at Midland College. Also in the class of 2022 is utility man Cayden Zimmerman, who was a 36th round pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Rock Canyon H.S in Colorado.
2018 Season Notes
-The Falcons went 24-30 overall in 2018.
-Air Force went 12-17 in Mountain West contests, finishing sixth.
-The Falcons posted its fifth-straight season over 20 wins, which is just the second time in program history.
-The Falcons posted its fourth straight season over 23 wins, tying for the most in program history.
- Air Force finished with a 15-7 home record.
- The Falcons ranked in the NCAA Top 10 in 12 categories (six team and six individual by junior 1B Nic Ready).
- Air Force placed two players on the all-conference team (1B Nic Ready 1st Team and C Rob Dau 2nd Team).
One Of Nation's Top Hitting Teams
Air Force was amongst the NCAA leaders in hitting again in 2018. The Falcons were top 10 in five categories
2018 NCAA Rankings
Hitting: .313 (7th)
Hits: 581 (4th)
Runs: 393 (8th)
Doubles: 122 (3rd)
Triples: 21 (7th)
School Record Fielding
Air Force set a school record for fielding percentage. The Falcons fielded .975, surpassing the previous record of .968 set just last season. Air Force was second in the MW in fielding. The Falcons tied for the conference lead with 58 double plays turned, which ranked fourth in the nation. First baseman Nic Ready was second in the conference in putouts and chances. Catcher Rob Dau was second in runners thrown out attempting to steal.
Falcons Hit Well at Home Again
Air Force continues its trend of hitting well at the friendly confines of Falcon Field. The Falcons are batting .113 points higher at home.
Batting Average Home Away
2018 .376 .263
2017 .391 .309
2016 .397 .277
2015 .362 .229
Kazlausky Second In Wins At Air Force
Air Force head coach Mike Kazlausky ranks second for most wins ever at Air Force with 171. Kazlausky recently surpassed his mentor, Paul Mainieri, the current head coach at LSU. Coach Kaz is the winningest coach at Air Force in terms of career wins in Mountain West play with 70.
Coach Kaz First USAFA Grad Head Coach
Air Force baseball head coach Mike Kazlausky is the first USAFA graduate to be the head coach for Air Force baseball. Coach 'Kaz' is a 1991 graduate of the Academy and four-year letterwinner for the Falcon baseball team.
Lone Star Falcons
Air Force has seven players on its roster from the state of Texas, the most of any state. Air Force has a pair of high school teammates from Texas as Ashton Easley and Ethan Nichols were teammates at Marcus HS in Flower Mound.
College HR Derby Champ
As part of Nic Ready's busy summer, he won the 2018 College Home Run Derby at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. Ready crushed a derby record 55 dingers, including 21 in the championship round, as he narrowly defeated Logan Davidson of Clemson, 21-20.
Army West Point - Friday, Feb. 15 - 11 a.m. MT
Louisiana Monroe - Saturday, Feb. 16 - 5 p.m. MT
No. 1 LSU - Sunday, Feb. 17 - 2 p.m. MT
Southern U. - Monday, Feb. 18 - 12 p.m. MT
- All games at Alex Box Stadium - Baton Rouge, La.
Falcons Open 2019 In Baton Rouge
The Air Force Academy baseball team opens its 2019 season down on the Bayou in Baton Rouge, La. as the Falcons will take on four different opponents over a four day span at LSU's Alex Box Stadium. The year begins with Service Academy rival Army West Point, Friday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. MT. Saturday, AF will face UL Monroe for the first time in program history at 5 p.m. MT. Sunday, the Falcons play the host Tigers, who come into the year ranked No. 1 in the country in the coaches poll, at 2 p.m. MT. Finally, the series concludes with Southern University on Monday at noon MT.
Following Along At Home
All four games will have live stats through Statbroadcast. The LSU game will be streamed through ESPN 3 on the SEC Network, and will also have a radio stream online. Monday's game against Southern will also have an audio stream on their website. All four games can also be followed live on Twitter, @AF_Baseball.
Falcons In Season Openers
- Air Force is 35-27 all-time in season openers.
- Last year, the Falcons fell at Hawaii in the lid lifter, 4-0.
- Head coach Mike Kazlausky is 4-4 in season-openers.
Ready Preseason All-American
For the second consecutive season, senior infielder Nic Ready was named a Preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball News. Ready earns the honor after being named to the CBN All-American Third Team at the conclusion of the 2018 season. Ready had a banner junior season where he led the Mountain West Conference with 20 home runs and 74 RBIs. The Dallas, Texas, native batted .341 on the year, while also recording a team-best 30 game hitting streak and 38-game reached base streak. The junior ranked first in the MW in seven categories overall. Nationally, Ready was seventh in the country in home runs, eighth in RBIs, and tenth in both slugging (.699) and total bases (160). Ready was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West team as well, earning that honor for the third straight season.
Who's Back
- Air Force returns 22 letterwinners.
- The Falcons are led by an 11-man senior class
- Air Force returns six starters.
Sr. 1B Nic Ready
Sr. C Rob Dau
Sr. OF Drew Wiss
Sr. OF/DH Daniel Jones
Sr. 2B Colby Brown
Jr. OF Ashton Easley
- Air Force's Starting Rotation has three seniors
Sr. RHP Tyler Mortenson (2018 Wknd. Starter)
Sr. RHP Matt Hargreaves (2018 Wknd. Starter)
Sr. LHP Ethan Nichols (19 career starts)
- Air Force also returns its closer in senior RHP Jake Gilbert.
Key Losses
- Air Force lost 10 letterwinners from a season ago, including three starters and two primary starting pitchers
- Four year starter at SS Tyler Zabojnik graduated in 2018. He finished as AF's all-time leader in games played, at bats, and assists, while finishing second in doubles.
- Utility man Ryan Robb graduated, he finished second on the team in 2018 in batting average (.342) while leading AF in hits (79), triples (5), and steals (19).
- On the mound, Ryan Holloway and Nick Biancalana split time as the third starter/midweek starter. Biancalana was the team's season ERA leader with a 2.22, while Holloway finished with a 4.20 mark over 60 innings.
Who's New
Air Force welcomes 14 newcomers to the team, including eight pitchers. The class is highlighted by projected starting shortstop Tommy Gillman, the younger brother of assistant coach C.J. Gillman. He joins the Falcons with junior eligibility after playing his freshman season at Texas A&M and last year at Midland College. Also in the class of 2022 is utility man Cayden Zimmerman, who was a 36th round pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 2018 MLB Draft out of Rock Canyon H.S in Colorado.
2018 Season Notes
-The Falcons went 24-30 overall in 2018.
-Air Force went 12-17 in Mountain West contests, finishing sixth.
-The Falcons posted its fifth-straight season over 20 wins, which is just the second time in program history.
-The Falcons posted its fourth straight season over 23 wins, tying for the most in program history.
- Air Force finished with a 15-7 home record.
- The Falcons ranked in the NCAA Top 10 in 12 categories (six team and six individual by junior 1B Nic Ready).
- Air Force placed two players on the all-conference team (1B Nic Ready 1st Team and C Rob Dau 2nd Team).
One Of Nation's Top Hitting Teams
Air Force was amongst the NCAA leaders in hitting again in 2018. The Falcons were top 10 in five categories
2018 NCAA Rankings
Hitting: .313 (7th)
Hits: 581 (4th)
Runs: 393 (8th)
Doubles: 122 (3rd)
Triples: 21 (7th)
School Record Fielding
Air Force set a school record for fielding percentage. The Falcons fielded .975, surpassing the previous record of .968 set just last season. Air Force was second in the MW in fielding. The Falcons tied for the conference lead with 58 double plays turned, which ranked fourth in the nation. First baseman Nic Ready was second in the conference in putouts and chances. Catcher Rob Dau was second in runners thrown out attempting to steal.
Falcons Hit Well at Home Again
Air Force continues its trend of hitting well at the friendly confines of Falcon Field. The Falcons are batting .113 points higher at home.
Batting Average Home Away
2018 .376 .263
2017 .391 .309
2016 .397 .277
2015 .362 .229
Kazlausky Second In Wins At Air Force
Air Force head coach Mike Kazlausky ranks second for most wins ever at Air Force with 171. Kazlausky recently surpassed his mentor, Paul Mainieri, the current head coach at LSU. Coach Kaz is the winningest coach at Air Force in terms of career wins in Mountain West play with 70.
Coach Kaz First USAFA Grad Head Coach
Air Force baseball head coach Mike Kazlausky is the first USAFA graduate to be the head coach for Air Force baseball. Coach 'Kaz' is a 1991 graduate of the Academy and four-year letterwinner for the Falcon baseball team.
Lone Star Falcons
Air Force has seven players on its roster from the state of Texas, the most of any state. Air Force has a pair of high school teammates from Texas as Ashton Easley and Ethan Nichols were teammates at Marcus HS in Flower Mound.
College HR Derby Champ
As part of Nic Ready's busy summer, he won the 2018 College Home Run Derby at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb. Ready crushed a derby record 55 dingers, including 21 in the championship round, as he narrowly defeated Logan Davidson of Clemson, 21-20.
Players Mentioned
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