Six-run 12th guides Falcons to extra-innings win

SAN JOSE, Calif.- Air Force saw a lead in the 9th disappear, but a six-run 12th cured the earlier pain, as Landon Boyd's grand slam in the final inning cemented the Falcons 9-3 win on Friday.

Starter Doyle Gehring put together perhaps his best start of the season in the win. The junior pitched a season-high 7.0 innings, allowing just two runs on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts. After seeing the Spartans score two runs over his first two innings, Gehring faced the minimum over the next five innings.

Gehring's 7.0 innings of work are the most by a Falcon pitcher thus far in 2023.

Boyd came up with the biggest hit of the day, as his grand slam in the 12th all but secured the Air Force win. The sophomore finished the day 1-4 with two walks and four RBI, as well as throwing out two of four potential base-stealers on the afternoon.

After going hitless in his first five at-bats, Jake Greiving connected on a two-run double to start the scoring in the 12th as well as give Air Force a 5-3 lead.

Sam Kulasingam started a new hitting streak as part of a 3-5 day, including a two-run single to knot the score at 2-2 in the 5th. Kulasingam also walked twice and scored two runs.

Trayden Tamiya notched his 10th multi-hit game of the year, going 2-4 with a go-ahead RBI double in the 5th.

The Falcons drew 12 free passes, a new season-high.

Sawyer Hawks entered in the 8th, and was one out short of securing his third save of the season, but a two-out RBI base-hit saw the tying run score to send the ballgame into extra-innings. Otherwise, the sophomore was very good, allowing just the one run over his 2.0 innings with two strikeouts.

Following Friday, Hawks' 11.94 K/9 remains the highest on the ballclub.

With the game tied, Duke Benge was tasked with keeping the Spartans off the scoreboard, a mission the senior accomplished. Benge allowed just two hits over 3.0 innings to pick up his second win of the season.

Next, Air Force and San Jose State will play a doubleheader starting at 12:00 pm MT, with the second game scheduled to take place roughly 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game One.

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