Falcon bats outlast Wildcats in midweek win

COLORADO SPRINGS- Air Force slugged its way to a 18-13 win over Kansas State on Wednesday, as the Falcons set a myriad of new season-highs en route to their first home victory of the spring.

All nine players in the starting lineup managed at least one hit, including Jake Greiving. The junior posted a team-high four hits in seven plate appearances as well as a team-best 4 RBI. Greiving managed two doubles as part of a 10 extra-base hit afternoon for Air Force.

Sam Kulasingam's on-base streak has reached 22-consecutive games, as the Falcons first baseman was 3-6 with two doubles, 3 RBI and four runs scored. Jay Thomason homered for the second-consecutive day as part of a 3-4 afternoon. Thomason's nine home runs now lead the Mountain West Conference, as he wraps up the quick two-game series with having gone 6-7 with 2 HR's, 3 2B's, 3 BB's and 5 RBI. He's now reached base in 13-consecutive games.

Blake Covin's resurgence continued on Wednesday with the senior going 3-4 with a RBI and a walk. Covin dropped a picture-perfect RBI bunt single in the 3rd to help the Falcons post five runs in the inning. Matt Thompson, Aerik Joe, and Chris Stallings each had two hits, as the trio combined to drive home five runs. Thompson sent a RBI triple down the right field line in the 4th before grounding a run-scoring single through the left side in the 6th. Joe was responsible for a RBI base-hit in the 4th, while Stallings produced a RBI in the 3rd following a bases-loaded walk. The junior also lined a double into left-center in the 6th to score a run.

Charlie Jones pinch-hit in the 6th and found open real estate in his only trip to the plate. Jones' RBI single was clocked at 113.5 mph, the highest exit velocity produced by a Falcon on the day.

The Falcons 18 runs mark a new season-high, as do the home side's 22 hits. Air Force's eight doubles were also a single-game high so far this spring.

In what became a bullpen game, Jake Sansing opened for Air Force and the dugout couldn't have asked for much more from the senior. Sansing allowed just two baserunners over his 2.0 IP, as the veteran struck out three of the eight batters he faced. Sansing's now owns a 3.33 ERA to lead the Falcons.

Sawyer Hawks also tossed 2.0 innings, while the sophomore was responsible for two runs with four hits to go with two walks and two strikeouts. Hawks was credited with the win after entering with a one-run lead to start the 3rd. Chase Spencer allowed four runs over his 1.1 IP, while Ryan Stohr surrendered four runs over the course of his 1.2 innings.

Cooper Loveridge entered in the 8th and saw the Wildcats force three walks and two hits, leading to two runs. Loveridge was relieved by Joey Collier, who entered with the bases-loaded and two outs. After allowing a run-scoring walk to the first batter he faced, Collier produced a backwards K to end the inning.

The freshman proceeded to work a scoreless 9th to secure the Falcons victory.

Next, the Falcons will welcome Mountain West foe UNLV to Falcon Field, as the two sides will engage in a three-game series starting Friday, March 31.

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Team Stats

Jake Greiving

Blake Covin

Sam Kulasingam

Jay Thomason

Players Mentioned

Joey Collier

Blake Covin

Jake Greiving

Sawyer Hawks

Aerik Joe

Charlie Jones

Sam Kulasingam

Cooper Loveridge

Jake Sansing

Chase Spencer

Chris Stallings

Ryan Stohr

Jay Thomason

Matt Thompson

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