Tuesday, March 14
Ruston, LA
5:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
at
Louisiana Tech
Air Force to battle Louisiana Tech in midweek set
3/13/2023 4:43:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Tues: at Louisiana Tech, March 14, 5:00 pm MT
Wed: at Louisiana Tech, March 15, 2:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: Conference USA TV
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-In a series that began in 2021, Air Force and Louisiana Tech are each 1-1 in two games.
-The Bulldogs defeated the Falcons 18-1 on February 21, 2021 at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge.
-In an elimination game at the 2022 Austin Regional, Air Force bested Louisiana Tech 9-7 to advance to the Regional Final.
-Jake Greiving launched a pair of home runs, both giving the Falcons a lead. He was 3-5 with 3 RBI. Trayden Tamiya was a catalyst for Air Force's offensive outburst, managing a game-high four hits with two doubles and a RBI.
-Sam Kulasingam had three hits as well. Kulasingam's two-run single in the 6th gave the Falcons its first lead of the game at 6-5.
Pitching Probables
Tues: RHP Sr. Jake Sansing (1-1, 3.94 ERA) vs. RHP Jr. Greg Martinez (0-0, 18.00 ERA)
Wed: TBA vs. TBA
Projected Lineup
1. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.725 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.168 OPS)
3. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.516 OPS)
4. R/R, Chase Spencer, RF (.857 OPS)
5. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (.981 OPS)
6. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.799 OPS)
7. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.640 OPS)
8. S/R, Landon Boyd, C (.545 OPS)
9. L/R, Blake Covin, CF (.373 OPS)
The Previous Series (at New Mexico)
Game One
-Air Force, in its first game of Mountain West play, took down New Mexico in a wild affair, beating the Lobos 9-7 in 10 innings.
-Sam Kulasingam extended his hitting streak to nine-consecutive games as a result of his 2-5 day. The junior drove home a run with a RBI single as part of a two-run Falcons 10th. Chase Spencer was also 2-5 with a run batted in, as he singled home a run in the 3rd.
-Trayden Tamiya brought home the first two Air Force runs, as the New Mexico centerfielder lost a fly ball in the night sky. Tamiya was credited with a double, finishing the game with a pair of hits.
-Jay Thomason connected on his team-leading sixth home run of the spring, a no-doubter that hooked around the right field foul pole. His two-run home run gave Air Force a 7-5 lead in the 9th. Thomason's six home runs currently lead the Mountain West Conference.
-In his fourth start of the spring, Doyle Gehring battled for all 100 pitches. The junior lasted a season-high 6.0 innings, striking out nine batters to go with seven hits, four earned runs and two walks.
-Sawyer Hawks entered in the 7th and allowed a pair of home runs, including a game-tying two-run shot in the bottom of the 9th. He was tagged for three runs on six hits over 2.1 innings.
-Duke Benge was called upon to limit the damage in the 9th, doing so and more. The senior escaped the 9th and tossed a scoreless 10th en route to picking up his first win of the season.
Game Two
-Sam Kulasingam extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 9th inning single, as the junior finished 1-4. Jay Thomason managed a single as part of a 1-4 day, while Landon Boyd's double in the 3rd was the Falcons lone extra-base hit of the night.
-Air Force was retired in order in six of their nine turns at the plate.
-Dylan Rogers made his fourth start of the spring and shook off an uneven start before settling into the ballgame. The sophomore pitched 4.0 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with three walks and a strikeout.
-Jake Sansing gave the Falcons 3.0 solid innings, surrendering just one run on four hits with three strikeouts.
Game Three
-Sam Kulasingam extended his hitting streak to 11 games as part of a 2-4 day. The Falcons first baseman drove home three runs, including a two-run single in the 5th. Kulasingam also doubled in the 9th and notched a stolen base.
-Trayden Tamiya managed a pair of base-hits as well, also finishing the day 2-4.
-Jake Greiving produced an RBI groundout in the 7th, while Jay Thomason's double in the 4th was one of only two extra-base hits for Air Force.
-Blake Covin was 1-2 with two walks and two stolen bases. Aerik Joe collected a base-hit and a stolen base as part of a 1-3 day. Joe also scored two of the Falcons four runs.
-Seungmin Shim recorded just one out in his fourth start of the spring, as the Lobos tagged the southpaw for seven runs on six hits with one walk.
Picking Up Where He Left Off
-In his first 16 games, Sam Kulasingam is 30-66 (.455) with 10 RBI.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is currently one of only 14 players in Division I with at least 30 hits thus far in 2023
-He's also one of 28 DI players with a batting average of .455 or better.
-The junior's ten multi-hit games lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 12-game on-base streak, as well as an 11-game hitting streak.
#BOMBason is Back
-After leading Air Force with 16 home runs a season ago, Jay Thomason looks to again be a consistent power threat.
-Thomason again owns the team lead in home runs (6), and is second on the team with a .981 OPS.
-Thomason is tied with New Mexico's Reed Spenrath for the conference lead in home runs.
-Thomason's 17 RBI lead the dugout.
-He also leads the club with five multi-RBI games.
The Captain
-Trayden Tamiya has been one the Falcons most consistent offensive threats.
-Tamiya's .323 average is second to only Kulasingam.
-Tamiya has also struck out just six times in 66 plate appearances (9.1%).
-His 10.3 at-bats per strikeout is among the top 100 figures in Divisoin I baseball.
Ol' Reliable
-Reliever Duke Benge has amassed 10 appearances in Air Force's first 16 games.
-He's one of only eight DI pitchers with at least 10 appearances in 2023.
Missed Opportunities
-In Air Force's first 643 plate appearances, the Falcons have struck out 160 times (24.8%).
-As well, the Falcons are currently hitless with the bases loaded this season, going 0-19 in said opportunities.
-With runners in scoring position, Air Force is hitting at only a .235 clip.
-The Falcons .254 team batting average ranks Air Force 203rd among 295 Division I teams.
Up Next
-Following the Falcons time in Ruston, Air Force will host San Jose State to play the Spartans for a Mountain West weekend series starting March 17. The series marks the first home series for Air Force in 2023.
Tues: at Louisiana Tech, March 14, 5:00 pm MT
Wed: at Louisiana Tech, March 15, 2:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: Conference USA TV
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-In a series that began in 2021, Air Force and Louisiana Tech are each 1-1 in two games.
-The Bulldogs defeated the Falcons 18-1 on February 21, 2021 at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge.
-In an elimination game at the 2022 Austin Regional, Air Force bested Louisiana Tech 9-7 to advance to the Regional Final.
-Jake Greiving launched a pair of home runs, both giving the Falcons a lead. He was 3-5 with 3 RBI. Trayden Tamiya was a catalyst for Air Force's offensive outburst, managing a game-high four hits with two doubles and a RBI.
-Sam Kulasingam had three hits as well. Kulasingam's two-run single in the 6th gave the Falcons its first lead of the game at 6-5.
Pitching Probables
Tues: RHP Sr. Jake Sansing (1-1, 3.94 ERA) vs. RHP Jr. Greg Martinez (0-0, 18.00 ERA)
Wed: TBA vs. TBA
Projected Lineup
1. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.725 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.168 OPS)
3. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.516 OPS)
4. R/R, Chase Spencer, RF (.857 OPS)
5. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (.981 OPS)
6. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.799 OPS)
7. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.640 OPS)
8. S/R, Landon Boyd, C (.545 OPS)
9. L/R, Blake Covin, CF (.373 OPS)
The Previous Series (at New Mexico)
Game One
-Air Force, in its first game of Mountain West play, took down New Mexico in a wild affair, beating the Lobos 9-7 in 10 innings.
-Sam Kulasingam extended his hitting streak to nine-consecutive games as a result of his 2-5 day. The junior drove home a run with a RBI single as part of a two-run Falcons 10th. Chase Spencer was also 2-5 with a run batted in, as he singled home a run in the 3rd.
-Trayden Tamiya brought home the first two Air Force runs, as the New Mexico centerfielder lost a fly ball in the night sky. Tamiya was credited with a double, finishing the game with a pair of hits.
-Jay Thomason connected on his team-leading sixth home run of the spring, a no-doubter that hooked around the right field foul pole. His two-run home run gave Air Force a 7-5 lead in the 9th. Thomason's six home runs currently lead the Mountain West Conference.
-In his fourth start of the spring, Doyle Gehring battled for all 100 pitches. The junior lasted a season-high 6.0 innings, striking out nine batters to go with seven hits, four earned runs and two walks.
-Sawyer Hawks entered in the 7th and allowed a pair of home runs, including a game-tying two-run shot in the bottom of the 9th. He was tagged for three runs on six hits over 2.1 innings.
-Duke Benge was called upon to limit the damage in the 9th, doing so and more. The senior escaped the 9th and tossed a scoreless 10th en route to picking up his first win of the season.
Game Two
-Sam Kulasingam extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a 9th inning single, as the junior finished 1-4. Jay Thomason managed a single as part of a 1-4 day, while Landon Boyd's double in the 3rd was the Falcons lone extra-base hit of the night.
-Air Force was retired in order in six of their nine turns at the plate.
-Dylan Rogers made his fourth start of the spring and shook off an uneven start before settling into the ballgame. The sophomore pitched 4.0 innings, allowing four runs on five hits with three walks and a strikeout.
-Jake Sansing gave the Falcons 3.0 solid innings, surrendering just one run on four hits with three strikeouts.
Game Three
-Sam Kulasingam extended his hitting streak to 11 games as part of a 2-4 day. The Falcons first baseman drove home three runs, including a two-run single in the 5th. Kulasingam also doubled in the 9th and notched a stolen base.
-Trayden Tamiya managed a pair of base-hits as well, also finishing the day 2-4.
-Jake Greiving produced an RBI groundout in the 7th, while Jay Thomason's double in the 4th was one of only two extra-base hits for Air Force.
-Blake Covin was 1-2 with two walks and two stolen bases. Aerik Joe collected a base-hit and a stolen base as part of a 1-3 day. Joe also scored two of the Falcons four runs.
-Seungmin Shim recorded just one out in his fourth start of the spring, as the Lobos tagged the southpaw for seven runs on six hits with one walk.
Picking Up Where He Left Off
-In his first 16 games, Sam Kulasingam is 30-66 (.455) with 10 RBI.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is currently one of only 14 players in Division I with at least 30 hits thus far in 2023
-He's also one of 28 DI players with a batting average of .455 or better.
-The junior's ten multi-hit games lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 12-game on-base streak, as well as an 11-game hitting streak.
#BOMBason is Back
-After leading Air Force with 16 home runs a season ago, Jay Thomason looks to again be a consistent power threat.
-Thomason again owns the team lead in home runs (6), and is second on the team with a .981 OPS.
-Thomason is tied with New Mexico's Reed Spenrath for the conference lead in home runs.
-Thomason's 17 RBI lead the dugout.
-He also leads the club with five multi-RBI games.
The Captain
-Trayden Tamiya has been one the Falcons most consistent offensive threats.
-Tamiya's .323 average is second to only Kulasingam.
-Tamiya has also struck out just six times in 66 plate appearances (9.1%).
-His 10.3 at-bats per strikeout is among the top 100 figures in Divisoin I baseball.
Ol' Reliable
-Reliever Duke Benge has amassed 10 appearances in Air Force's first 16 games.
-He's one of only eight DI pitchers with at least 10 appearances in 2023.
Missed Opportunities
-In Air Force's first 643 plate appearances, the Falcons have struck out 160 times (24.8%).
-As well, the Falcons are currently hitless with the bases loaded this season, going 0-19 in said opportunities.
-With runners in scoring position, Air Force is hitting at only a .235 clip.
-The Falcons .254 team batting average ranks Air Force 203rd among 295 Division I teams.
Up Next
-Following the Falcons time in Ruston, Air Force will host San Jose State to play the Spartans for a Mountain West weekend series starting March 17. The series marks the first home series for Air Force in 2023.
Players Mentioned
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IF/OF
/ 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
