Saturday, May 8
USAFA
10 a.m. MT
Air Force Academy
vs
New Mexico
Photo by: Eric Strom
Air Force Welcomes in New Mexico for Three-Game Set
5/7/2021 2:09:00 PM | Baseball
The Falcons and Lobos last played each other the second weekend of the season
Air Force Falcons (17-18, 9-12 MW) vs. New Mexico Lobos (9-20, 6-12 MW)
May 8-9 | Falcon Field
Falcons Welcome in UNM for Three-Game Set
The Air Force Academy baseball team begins the home stretch of 2021 as they welcome in New Mexico for a three-game set, May 8-9, at Falcon Field. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is set for 10 a.m. MT, followed by an 11 a.m. start time for the Sunday finale.
Following Along At Home
All games will have a live stream on the MW Network page, as well as live stats on AirForceStats.com. As always, fans can follow along on Twitter, @AF_Baseball.
Last Series In Review
AF played its final road series of 2021 at UNLV, May 1-2. The Falcons dropped the first two games of the series, before rallying for the series finale win, 8-6. With the final game victory, AF won the season series over the current MW leaders by a 4-2 tally.
Byrnes the ERA Leader
Senior John Byrnes has only allowed two earned runs over his last 23.1 innings pitched. In the process, he has lowered his MW-leading ERA to 2.47 on the season. The ERA ranks 65th in the nation, and as it stands now, is the fifth-lowest in a single-season in program history.
Skenes the Super Freshman
Freshman Paul Skenes has simply been one of the best freshmen in both the MW and NCAA this season. While he ranks in the top-15 in the MW in eight offensive categories, the rookie also ranks in the top-215 in the nation in four offensive categories, batting average, hits/game, slugging, and total bases. He is also 18th in the nation in saves with seven, which leads the MW and is third among freshmen nationally.
Skenes has been extremely versatile for the Falcons this season, as he has made starts at catcher (14), first base (2), and DH (19). He has also made his 12 pitching appearances in games in which he started in the batting lineup. For his efforts, Skenes has been named to the Baseball America 2021 Freshman of the Year watchlist.
AF Top-50 in the RPI
Entering the week, AF has been tabbed at 30th by the NCAAs Rating Percentage Index (RPI). This season, AF has been ranked as high as 19th in the RPI, thanks to its 29 games on the road compared to just six at home, and 12 wins over teams in the RPI top-100.
The next-highest Mountain West team in the RPI is Nevada at 52nd. AF tied the season series with the Wolf Pack, 3-3.
Saving the Best for Last
AF has had some late inning magic in 2021, with two walk off wins and five wins where the winning run was scored in the ninth inning or later. In fact, AF has out-scored its opponents by a 26-7 margin in the ninth inning or later.
Miscellaneous Trends
AF is 5-0 on the season in one-run games, including two walk-off wins to win by one run. AF is also 3-1 in two-run games. The Falcons are a perfect 12-0 when out-hitting their opponent, and 3-1 when hits are tied. Finally, AF has been a sure thing with a lead in the late innings, as AF is 13-0 when leading after six and 3-0 when the game is tied after six.
On the Horizon
AF continues its home stand with a four-game series against San Jose State, May 14-16.
May 8-9 | Falcon Field
Falcons Welcome in UNM for Three-Game Set
The Air Force Academy baseball team begins the home stretch of 2021 as they welcome in New Mexico for a three-game set, May 8-9, at Falcon Field. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is set for 10 a.m. MT, followed by an 11 a.m. start time for the Sunday finale.
Following Along At Home
All games will have a live stream on the MW Network page, as well as live stats on AirForceStats.com. As always, fans can follow along on Twitter, @AF_Baseball.
Last Series In Review
AF played its final road series of 2021 at UNLV, May 1-2. The Falcons dropped the first two games of the series, before rallying for the series finale win, 8-6. With the final game victory, AF won the season series over the current MW leaders by a 4-2 tally.
Byrnes the ERA Leader
Senior John Byrnes has only allowed two earned runs over his last 23.1 innings pitched. In the process, he has lowered his MW-leading ERA to 2.47 on the season. The ERA ranks 65th in the nation, and as it stands now, is the fifth-lowest in a single-season in program history.
Skenes the Super Freshman
Freshman Paul Skenes has simply been one of the best freshmen in both the MW and NCAA this season. While he ranks in the top-15 in the MW in eight offensive categories, the rookie also ranks in the top-215 in the nation in four offensive categories, batting average, hits/game, slugging, and total bases. He is also 18th in the nation in saves with seven, which leads the MW and is third among freshmen nationally.
Skenes has been extremely versatile for the Falcons this season, as he has made starts at catcher (14), first base (2), and DH (19). He has also made his 12 pitching appearances in games in which he started in the batting lineup. For his efforts, Skenes has been named to the Baseball America 2021 Freshman of the Year watchlist.
AF Top-50 in the RPI
Entering the week, AF has been tabbed at 30th by the NCAAs Rating Percentage Index (RPI). This season, AF has been ranked as high as 19th in the RPI, thanks to its 29 games on the road compared to just six at home, and 12 wins over teams in the RPI top-100.
The next-highest Mountain West team in the RPI is Nevada at 52nd. AF tied the season series with the Wolf Pack, 3-3.
Saving the Best for Last
AF has had some late inning magic in 2021, with two walk off wins and five wins where the winning run was scored in the ninth inning or later. In fact, AF has out-scored its opponents by a 26-7 margin in the ninth inning or later.
Miscellaneous Trends
AF is 5-0 on the season in one-run games, including two walk-off wins to win by one run. AF is also 3-1 in two-run games. The Falcons are a perfect 12-0 when out-hitting their opponent, and 3-1 when hits are tied. Finally, AF has been a sure thing with a lead in the late innings, as AF is 13-0 when leading after six and 3-0 when the game is tied after six.
On the Horizon
AF continues its home stand with a four-game series against San Jose State, May 14-16.
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
C/RHP
/ BaseballFalcons win on senior day over New Mexico
Sunday, May 11
Lobos top Falcons to even series
Saturday, May 10
Falcons big 8th inning leads to win over Lobos
Friday, May 09
Falcons fall in series finale to Nevada
Sunday, April 27
