Saturday, April 1
USAFA, CO
11:00 am MT
Air Force Academy
vs
UNLV
Photo by: Trevor Cokley
Falcons host Rebels in conference clash
3/30/2023 4:58:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Fri: vs. UNLV, March 31, 1:00 pm MT
Sat: vs. UNLV, April 1, 12:00 pm MT
Sun: vs. UNLV, April 2, 12:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1970, Air Force is 42-105 against UNLV.
-A season ago, the Falcons were 4-3 against the Rebels, as both teams swept their resptive home series in 2022.
-Air Force defeated UNLV 5-2 in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament a season ago.
Pitching Probables
Fri: RHP Doyle Gehring (1-2, 4.22 ERA) vs. RHP Noah Beal (1-2, 5.79 ERA)
Sat: RHP Dylan Rogers (0-4, 7.06 ERA) vs. RHP Jordan Hanson (1-1, 4.45 ERA)
Sun: LHP Seungmin Shim (3-1, 5.67 ERA) vs. TBA
Projected Lineup
1. L/R, Blake Covin, CF (.832 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.075 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.096 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.674 OPS)
5. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.809 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, RF (.763 OPS)
7. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.780 OPS)
8. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.605 OPS)
9. S/R, Landon Boyd, C (.614 OPS)
The Previous Series (vs. Kansas State)
Game One
-Playing for the first time at home in 2023, the Falcons saw the Wildcats post eight unanswered runs over the final four innings to spoil Air Force's home opener in Tuesday's 12-9 loss.
-Jay Thomason put together a monster day at the plate, going 3-3 with 2 RBI, a walk and a HBP. All three of Thomason's hits were of the extra-base variety, as the junior slugged his eighth home run of the spring in the 4th.
-Sam Kulasingam also kept his on-base run alive as part of a 2-4 afternoon. The defending Mountain West Player of the Year managed a double and a sac fly, scoring a team-high three runs. Kulasingam has now reached base in 21-consecutive games.
-Jake Greiving led the Falcons with 3 RBI, the result of his 2-5 day. Greiving lined an opposite-field single into left to score the game's first two runs before doubling home another run in the 6th.
-Matt Thompson was 2-4 with two base-hits, while Blake Covin reached base in three of his five plate appearances following a three-walk afternoon. Covin also managed a RBI following a sacrifice fly in the 4th.
-Aside from a three-run 2nd inning, freshman Ben Weber gritted his way to a solid outing. Weber pitched a career-best 6.0 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts. After seeing the Wildcats take a 3-2 lead in the 2nd, Weber proceeded to retire nine-consecutive hitters between the 3rd and 5th innings as he departed with an 8-4 lead.
Game Two
-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.
A Walking Hit
-In his first 26 games, Sam Kulasingam owns a .405 BA, the second-best mark among Mountain West players.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is also one of only 13 players in Division I with at least 45 hits thus far in 2023.
-His 45 hits are tied for the third-most in the country.
-The junior's 16 multi-hit games lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 22-game on-base streak, having reached base in 25 of 26 games this season.
-Kulasingam also owns more walks (16) than strikeouts (13).
#BOMBason is Back
-After leading Air Force with 16 home runs a season ago, Jay Thomason has maintained his status as a power threat.
-Thomason again owns the team lead in home runs (9), and leads the Falcons with a 1.096 OPS.
-Thomason currently leads the conference lead in home runs with nine.
-Thomason's 26 RBI lead the dugout.
-He also leads the club with eight multi-RBI games, and has reached base in each of his 13 games.
The Captain
-Trayden Tamiya has been one the Falcons most consistent offensive threats.
-Tamiya's .324 average is second to only Kulasingam.
-Tamiya has also struck out just 12 times in 119 plate appearances (10.1%).
-Tamiya also hasn't recorded an error in 120 chances at second base, leading the Mountain West with 84 assists.
Blake is Raking
-After starting the year 5-40 (.125), Covin has caught fire, going 19-34 (.559) over his last nine games.
-Covin has at least one hit in seven of his last nine games.
-The senior managed a career-high five hits in six at-bats on March 26.
-Covin has more RBI (7) over his last seven games than he did in his previous 15 games (1).
Sansing the MANsing
-Senior Jake Sansing is currently pitching as well as he ever has as a Falcon.
-Sansing has not allowed more than three runs in any of his eight appearances in 2023.
-The senior has pitched to a 2.25 ERA over his last six games.
-Sansing has been a major reverse-split hurler, allowing just a .196 batting average against lefties.
-Sansing's 3.33 ERA is best among Air Force arms.
Ol' Reliable
-Reliever Duke Benge has amassed 16 appearances in Air Force's first 26 games.
-He's one of only five DI pitchers with at least 16 appearances in 2023.
Up Next
-Following the Falcons series against UNLV, Air Force will travel to Austin to play Texas for a one-game series on Tuesday, April 4.
Fri: vs. UNLV, March 31, 1:00 pm MT
Sat: vs. UNLV, April 1, 12:00 pm MT
Sun: vs. UNLV, April 2, 12:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1970, Air Force is 42-105 against UNLV.
-A season ago, the Falcons were 4-3 against the Rebels, as both teams swept their resptive home series in 2022.
-Air Force defeated UNLV 5-2 in the first round of the Mountain West Tournament a season ago.
Pitching Probables
Fri: RHP Doyle Gehring (1-2, 4.22 ERA) vs. RHP Noah Beal (1-2, 5.79 ERA)
Sat: RHP Dylan Rogers (0-4, 7.06 ERA) vs. RHP Jordan Hanson (1-1, 4.45 ERA)
Sun: LHP Seungmin Shim (3-1, 5.67 ERA) vs. TBA
Projected Lineup
1. L/R, Blake Covin, CF (.832 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.075 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.096 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.674 OPS)
5. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.809 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, RF (.763 OPS)
7. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.780 OPS)
8. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.605 OPS)
9. S/R, Landon Boyd, C (.614 OPS)
The Previous Series (vs. Kansas State)
Game One
-Playing for the first time at home in 2023, the Falcons saw the Wildcats post eight unanswered runs over the final four innings to spoil Air Force's home opener in Tuesday's 12-9 loss.
-Jay Thomason put together a monster day at the plate, going 3-3 with 2 RBI, a walk and a HBP. All three of Thomason's hits were of the extra-base variety, as the junior slugged his eighth home run of the spring in the 4th.
-Sam Kulasingam also kept his on-base run alive as part of a 2-4 afternoon. The defending Mountain West Player of the Year managed a double and a sac fly, scoring a team-high three runs. Kulasingam has now reached base in 21-consecutive games.
-Jake Greiving led the Falcons with 3 RBI, the result of his 2-5 day. Greiving lined an opposite-field single into left to score the game's first two runs before doubling home another run in the 6th.
-Matt Thompson was 2-4 with two base-hits, while Blake Covin reached base in three of his five plate appearances following a three-walk afternoon. Covin also managed a RBI following a sacrifice fly in the 4th.
-Aside from a three-run 2nd inning, freshman Ben Weber gritted his way to a solid outing. Weber pitched a career-best 6.0 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts. After seeing the Wildcats take a 3-2 lead in the 2nd, Weber proceeded to retire nine-consecutive hitters between the 3rd and 5th innings as he departed with an 8-4 lead.
Game Two
-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.
A Walking Hit
-In his first 26 games, Sam Kulasingam owns a .405 BA, the second-best mark among Mountain West players.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is also one of only 13 players in Division I with at least 45 hits thus far in 2023.
-His 45 hits are tied for the third-most in the country.
-The junior's 16 multi-hit games lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 22-game on-base streak, having reached base in 25 of 26 games this season.
-Kulasingam also owns more walks (16) than strikeouts (13).
#BOMBason is Back
-After leading Air Force with 16 home runs a season ago, Jay Thomason has maintained his status as a power threat.
-Thomason again owns the team lead in home runs (9), and leads the Falcons with a 1.096 OPS.
-Thomason currently leads the conference lead in home runs with nine.
-Thomason's 26 RBI lead the dugout.
-He also leads the club with eight multi-RBI games, and has reached base in each of his 13 games.
The Captain
-Trayden Tamiya has been one the Falcons most consistent offensive threats.
-Tamiya's .324 average is second to only Kulasingam.
-Tamiya has also struck out just 12 times in 119 plate appearances (10.1%).
-Tamiya also hasn't recorded an error in 120 chances at second base, leading the Mountain West with 84 assists.
Blake is Raking
-After starting the year 5-40 (.125), Covin has caught fire, going 19-34 (.559) over his last nine games.
-Covin has at least one hit in seven of his last nine games.
-The senior managed a career-high five hits in six at-bats on March 26.
-Covin has more RBI (7) over his last seven games than he did in his previous 15 games (1).
Sansing the MANsing
-Senior Jake Sansing is currently pitching as well as he ever has as a Falcon.
-Sansing has not allowed more than three runs in any of his eight appearances in 2023.
-The senior has pitched to a 2.25 ERA over his last six games.
-Sansing has been a major reverse-split hurler, allowing just a .196 batting average against lefties.
-Sansing's 3.33 ERA is best among Air Force arms.
Ol' Reliable
-Reliever Duke Benge has amassed 16 appearances in Air Force's first 26 games.
-He's one of only five DI pitchers with at least 16 appearances in 2023.
Up Next
-Following the Falcons series against UNLV, Air Force will travel to Austin to play Texas for a one-game series on Tuesday, April 4.
Players Mentioned
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RHP
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1B
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IF
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RHP
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RHP
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LHP
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OF
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IF
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IF
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IF/OF
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