Air Force Falls to Kansas in Midweek Finale

USAFA, Colo. – The Air Force Academy baseball team fell in the midweek series finale to Kansas, 11-6, Wednesday afternoon, May 1, at Falcon Field. Air Force (20-24) held a lead into the seventh inning, but Kansas (23-21) rallied with seven runs in the final three innings to leave with the even 1-1 midweek series record.

Air Force's offense was hot despite the cold temperatures, as they pounded out 11 hits, four for extra bases. Freshman Braydon Altorfer led the way with his second three hit day of the season, including two doubles. Senior Gabe Martinez also tallied a three hit day, including a double with two runs driven in, while fellow senior Nic Ready blasted a solo homer, the ninth of his season and 46th of his career to tie the all-time school record for homers.

Junior Ashton Easley added two hits and three runs scored to the Falcons offensive day, while also stealing two bases to up his total to 26 on the year. The 26 swipes are good for a tie for the sixth-most in a single season at the Academy.

After earning his first start of the season, junior Jeff Gerlica held the Jayhawks off the board over the first two frames, allowing no hits and striking out two. This led to Air Force grabbing a lead in the bottom of the second on an RBI double from Martinez and RBI single from junior Tommy Gillman, to make it 2-0 early on.

Kansas answered back in the top of the third with two runs off three hits to tie the game up at two apiece. The Falcons had the immediate response though in the bottom half, as Martinez singled in his second runner of the game, while Gillman drew a bases loaded walk to make it 4-2.

Gerlica then fired a scoreless top of the fourth, thanks in part to a 6-4-3 double play, keeping it a two run game. Kansas came back to tie it in the top of the fifth however, plating a pair more runs on three more hits, putting it at 4-4 at the midway point.

The back and forth nature of the game continued in the bottom of the fifth as Easley was hit by pitch, and then went to work on the base paths. He promptly stole second, and then on a steal attempt of third, the throw sailed high, allowing the speedy Easley to score, and give AF the lead back, 5-4, with four to play.

Unfortunately the lead did not hold, as KU scored four in the seventh and three in the top of the ninth to open up an 11-5 lead into the last of the ninth. There, Ready blasted a solo homer over the tall wall in right to make it 11-6, but it was not enough in the five run defeat.

The Falcons now hit the road for their final conference road series of the season at New Mexico. The Falcons will face the Lobos for a three game set beginning with a 6 p.m. MT first pitch on Friday, May 3.

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Team Stats

Gabe Martinez

Braydon Altorfer

Ashton Easley

Christian Gambale

Players Mentioned

Braydon Altorfer

Ashton Easley

Jeff Gerlica

Tommy Gillman

Gabe Martinez

Nic Ready

Players Mentioned

Braydon Altorfer

Ashton Easley

Jeff Gerlica

Tommy Gillman

Gabe Martinez

Nic Ready

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