Air Force starts new season with loss to Army

CLEBURNE, Texas- Air Force's kick-starting of the inaugural Liberty Classic didn't envelop as hoped, as the Falcons were defeated by rival Army 5-2 on the opening day of the college baseball season.

Sam Kulasingam, the reigning Tony Gwynn Mountain West Player of the Year, picked up right where left off following a historic sophomore season. The Air Force first baseman was a perfect 4-4, drawing a walk. His two-out, bases-empty double in the 7th was the Falcons lone extra-base hit of the night.

Jay Thomason, Chris Stallings, and Aerik Joe each managed a base hit as well. Thomason's 1st inning, bases-loaded walk scored the Falcons first run of the new season, while Stallings' base-hit through the left side in the 3rd was his first collegiate hit.

Seemingly cruel, Stallings, who missed the past two seasons due to injury, was plunked twice in his Falcons debut.

Landon Boyd recorded his first Falcon RBI later in the 1st, as he also drew a bases-loaded walk in his first plate appearance.

Doyle Gehring found the Black Knights to be a pesky bunch, as the junior was forced to throw 84 pitches in just 4.0+ innings. Gehring did rack up seven strikeouts to just three hits, though three walks and two hit-by-pitches elevated his pitch total.

Gehring saw Army's first run cross as the result of a leadoff walk, a throwing error of his own, and a wild pitch placed a runner on third with none down in the 2nd. The run later scored following a sac fly.

The Falcon's opening day starter was relieved by Duke Benge after the former allowed a leadoff double to start the 5th. Benge was immediately greeted with a run-scoring triple to tie the game at 2-2. One batter later, Army lifted a sacrifice fly to give the Black Knights their first lead of the game.

Benge was credited with the loss after allowing just the one run in 2.0 innings with two strikeouts.

Jake Sansing pitched the last 3.0 innings for the Falcons, as the senior gave up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts.

The Falcons did make one last stand in the 8th. Stallings' second hit-by-pitch of the night was immediately followed by a Thomason single and a Chase Spencer walk. However, consecutive strikeouts and fly out halted the potential comeback chance.

Air Force and Army will resume the Liberty Classic at The Depot tomorrow at 12:00 pm MT.

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