Falcons can't stave off Black Knights in 6-4 loss

CLEBURNE, Texas- A late Air Force lead eventually dissipated, as the Army lineup caught fire late in the Falcons 6-4 loss on Saturday.

Sam Kulasingam finished the afternoon 3-4 with a walk and two RBI. The junior now has seven hits in his first eight at-bats of the new season, while having reached base in nine of his first 10 plate appearances of 2023.

Chase Spencer was 2-3 with two extra-base hits. The sophomore clubbed the first Air Force home run of the spring following a solo shot to leadoff the 2nd. Spencer also doubled and walked.

Jake Greiving drove home the Falcons first run of the day in the top of the 1st, lining an opposite-field single into left-center to score Kulasingam. Greiving eventually finished the day 1-5.

Dylan Rogers, taking the mound in his home state of Texas, made his first start of the season on Saturday and was terrific. Rogers pounded the strike zone, allowing just one earned run in 5.0 innings of work. The sophomore gave up five hits while tying his career-high with eight strikeouts to no walks.

With his team holding a 4-2 lead, Ryan Stohr relieved Rogers to start the 6th. Stohr allowed two runs in the 6th and the 7th, as the senior was pulled after surrendering six hits in 1.1 innings.

Duke Benge and Zach Peters combined to pitch the final 1.2 innings for the Falcons, not allowing a baserunner in that span. Peters wasted no time recording his first collegiate strikeout, ending a seven-pitch at-bat with a backwards K to the first batter he faced.

Trailing 6-4 with one out in the 9th, Air Force again made a late charge. Pinch-hitting, Charlie Jones drew a walk in his first-career plate appearance, which was followed by a Kulasingam free pass. With the go-ahead run at the plate, consecutive strikeouts put an end to the potential comeback.

Air Force and Army will conclude the Liberty Classic on Sunday, with first-pitch at The Depot scheduled for 10:00 am MT.

Footer

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the u.s air force of non-u.s. government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the u.s. air force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for department of defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.