Friday, April 21
USAFA, CO
1:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
University of New Mexico
Falcons to close season series with Lobos
4/20/2023 6:02:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Fri: vs. New Mexico, April 21, 1:00 pm MT
Sat: vs. New Mexico, April 22, 12:00 pm MT
Sun: vs. New Mexico, April 23, 12:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Television: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1957, Air Force is 56-151 against New Mexico.
-Earlier this season, the Lobos took two of three ballgames in Albuquerque on March 10-12.
-Air Force was outscored 33-13 in the three games.
-The Falcons are 5-4 against the Lobos at Falcon Field since 2018.
Pitching Probables
Fri: RHP Sr. Jake Sansing (3-3. 3.33 ERA) vs. RHP Sr. Riley Egloff (5-2, 4.81 ERA)
Sat: RHP Jr. Doyle Gehring (2-2, 5.87 ERA) vs. RHP Sr. Tristan Lively (4-2, 3.00 ERA)
Sun: RHP So. Dylan Rogers (2-4, 5.59 ERA) vs. RHP Jr. Isaac Gallegos (4-1, 3.18 ERA)
Projected Lineup
1. L/R, Blake Covin, CF (.767 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.158 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.012 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.734 OPS)
5. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.800 OPS)
6. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.706 OPS)
7. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.721 OPS)
8. S/R, Landon Boyd, C (.770 OPS)
9. R/R Chase Spencer, RF (.766 OPS)
Last Series (at Kansas)
Game One
-The Falcons were bested for the third-consecutive game, losing Tuesday's contest 19-4 against the Jayhawks.
-Jay Thomason launched his conference-leading 13th home run in the 1st, a solo homer. Thomason was 2-4, adding an RBI single and a sac fly.
-Aerik Joe was 2-4, extending his on-base streak to 13 games.
-Sam Kulasingam poked a triple in the 7th, keeping his on-base streak alive at 34 games. Kulasingam also managed a RBI groundout in the 2nd.
-The Air Force pitching staff didn't have it best day, combining for 12 walks. Kansas scored in every inning aside from the 1st.
Game Two
-Air Force was bested for the fourth-consecutive ballgame, as the Falcons saw the 10-run mercy rule initiated in Wednesday's 12-2 loss.
-Sam Kulasingam brought home the Falcons only two runs in the 6th with a two-run double, his nation-leading 20th of the spring. True to form, Kulasingam reached base in two of his four plate appearances, as the junior has now been on base in 35-consecutive games and in 38 of 39 games this season.
-Aerik Joe broke up what was a perfect game in the 6th with a base-hit. Matt Thompson also singled in the inning. Chase Spencer and Chris Stallings also provided singles.
-Zach Peters made his first-career start and was pulled after 2.1 innings. The sophomore allowed four runs on five hits while walking three with an equal number of strikeouts. Ryan Stohr did well to keep the Falcons in the ballgame, allowing just one earned run over 3.2 innings.
-After cutting the Kansas lead to 5-2 in the 6th, Cooper Loveridge entered in relief of Stohr in the 7th. The freshman walked two of the three batters he faced before Air Force turned to another freshman, Joey Collier.
-In need of important outs, Collier surrendered four-consecutive hits, including three extra-base hits, leading to a five-run Jayhawks inning.
-Spencer was moved from right field to the mound in the 8th with Air Force trailing 11-2. The sophomore was greeted with a solo home run, causing the mercy rule to go into effect.
A Walking Hit
-In 39 games, Sam Kulasingam owns a .414 BA, the second-best mark among Mountain West players and 24th overall in Division I.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is also one of only six players in Division I with at least 65 hits thus far in 2023.
-The junior's 22 multi-hit games lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 35-game on-base streak, having reached base in 38 of 39 games this season.
-Kulasingam also is tied for the DI lead in doubles with 20.
-A master of bat control, Kulasingam also owns more than twice as many walks (32) than strikeouts (14).
-His 32 walks are best in the conference.
-Kulasingam's 95 total bases lead the MW, as does his 1.157 OPS.
#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 (13), and is behind only Kulasingam with a 1.012 OPS.
-Thomason currently leads the conference in home runs with 13, and remains the only player in the Mountain West with double-digit homers.
-Thomason's 91 total bases are second-most behind Kulasingam in the MW.
-Thomason's 40 RBI are also the most in the Mountain West.
The Captain
-Trayden Tamiya has been one the Falcons most consistent offensive threats.
-Tamiya's .329 average is second to only Kulasingam.
-Tamiya's 54 hits are second-most in the conference.
-Tamiya has been charged with just one error in 173 chances at second base, as his 119 assists lead the Mountain West.
Sansing the MANsing
-Jake Sansing, after starting the year in the bullpen, has transitioned to the Friday role for the Falcons.
-In his two weekend starts, Sansing has provided 16.0 IP with a 2.25 ERA.
-Over Sansing's last five appearances, the senior has recorded a 2.66 ERA.
-Sansing's 17 runs allowed this season is the lowest among qualified pitchers in the MW.
-Air Force is 4-1 in games started by Sansing.
-Sansing is the only Falcon pitcher to complete 8.0 IP on the mound this season, doing so twice.
-His 4.8% walk percentage is the best among Air Force hurlers.
Bird of Prey
-Air Force closer Sawyer Hawks has not allowed a run in his last three appearances.
-In those three games, Hawks has 10 strikeouts over his last 6.0 IP.
-In his last appearance against Nevada, Hawks punched out eight the 10 batters he faced, a single-game career-high.
-The big righty leads the Falcons with a strikeout percentage of 30.4%.
Ol' Reliable
-Reliever Duke Benge has amassed 21 appearances in Air Force's first 37 games.
-He's one of only 15 DI pitchers with at least 21 appearances in 2023.
Up Next
-Following the Falcons series against the Lobos, Air Force will remain at home to play San Jose State for a weekend conference clash starting April 28.
Fri: vs. New Mexico, April 21, 1:00 pm MT
Sat: vs. New Mexico, April 22, 12:00 pm MT
Sun: vs. New Mexico, April 23, 12:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Television: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1957, Air Force is 56-151 against New Mexico.
-Earlier this season, the Lobos took two of three ballgames in Albuquerque on March 10-12.
-Air Force was outscored 33-13 in the three games.
-The Falcons are 5-4 against the Lobos at Falcon Field since 2018.
Pitching Probables
Fri: RHP Sr. Jake Sansing (3-3. 3.33 ERA) vs. RHP Sr. Riley Egloff (5-2, 4.81 ERA)
Sat: RHP Jr. Doyle Gehring (2-2, 5.87 ERA) vs. RHP Sr. Tristan Lively (4-2, 3.00 ERA)
Sun: RHP So. Dylan Rogers (2-4, 5.59 ERA) vs. RHP Jr. Isaac Gallegos (4-1, 3.18 ERA)
Projected Lineup
1. L/R, Blake Covin, CF (.767 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.158 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.012 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.734 OPS)
5. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.800 OPS)
6. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.706 OPS)
7. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.721 OPS)
8. S/R, Landon Boyd, C (.770 OPS)
9. R/R Chase Spencer, RF (.766 OPS)
Last Series (at Kansas)
Game One
-The Falcons were bested for the third-consecutive game, losing Tuesday's contest 19-4 against the Jayhawks.
-Jay Thomason launched his conference-leading 13th home run in the 1st, a solo homer. Thomason was 2-4, adding an RBI single and a sac fly.
-Aerik Joe was 2-4, extending his on-base streak to 13 games.
-Sam Kulasingam poked a triple in the 7th, keeping his on-base streak alive at 34 games. Kulasingam also managed a RBI groundout in the 2nd.
-The Air Force pitching staff didn't have it best day, combining for 12 walks. Kansas scored in every inning aside from the 1st.
Game Two
-Air Force was bested for the fourth-consecutive ballgame, as the Falcons saw the 10-run mercy rule initiated in Wednesday's 12-2 loss.
-Sam Kulasingam brought home the Falcons only two runs in the 6th with a two-run double, his nation-leading 20th of the spring. True to form, Kulasingam reached base in two of his four plate appearances, as the junior has now been on base in 35-consecutive games and in 38 of 39 games this season.
-Aerik Joe broke up what was a perfect game in the 6th with a base-hit. Matt Thompson also singled in the inning. Chase Spencer and Chris Stallings also provided singles.
-Zach Peters made his first-career start and was pulled after 2.1 innings. The sophomore allowed four runs on five hits while walking three with an equal number of strikeouts. Ryan Stohr did well to keep the Falcons in the ballgame, allowing just one earned run over 3.2 innings.
-After cutting the Kansas lead to 5-2 in the 6th, Cooper Loveridge entered in relief of Stohr in the 7th. The freshman walked two of the three batters he faced before Air Force turned to another freshman, Joey Collier.
-In need of important outs, Collier surrendered four-consecutive hits, including three extra-base hits, leading to a five-run Jayhawks inning.
-Spencer was moved from right field to the mound in the 8th with Air Force trailing 11-2. The sophomore was greeted with a solo home run, causing the mercy rule to go into effect.
A Walking Hit
-In 39 games, Sam Kulasingam owns a .414 BA, the second-best mark among Mountain West players and 24th overall in Division I.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is also one of only six players in Division I with at least 65 hits thus far in 2023.
-The junior's 22 multi-hit games lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 35-game on-base streak, having reached base in 38 of 39 games this season.
-Kulasingam also is tied for the DI lead in doubles with 20.
-A master of bat control, Kulasingam also owns more than twice as many walks (32) than strikeouts (14).
-His 32 walks are best in the conference.
-Kulasingam's 95 total bases lead the MW, as does his 1.157 OPS.
#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 (13), and is behind only Kulasingam with a 1.012 OPS.
-Thomason currently leads the conference in home runs with 13, and remains the only player in the Mountain West with double-digit homers.
-Thomason's 91 total bases are second-most behind Kulasingam in the MW.
-Thomason's 40 RBI are also the most in the Mountain West.
The Captain
-Trayden Tamiya has been one the Falcons most consistent offensive threats.
-Tamiya's .329 average is second to only Kulasingam.
-Tamiya's 54 hits are second-most in the conference.
-Tamiya has been charged with just one error in 173 chances at second base, as his 119 assists lead the Mountain West.
Sansing the MANsing
-Jake Sansing, after starting the year in the bullpen, has transitioned to the Friday role for the Falcons.
-In his two weekend starts, Sansing has provided 16.0 IP with a 2.25 ERA.
-Over Sansing's last five appearances, the senior has recorded a 2.66 ERA.
-Sansing's 17 runs allowed this season is the lowest among qualified pitchers in the MW.
-Air Force is 4-1 in games started by Sansing.
-Sansing is the only Falcon pitcher to complete 8.0 IP on the mound this season, doing so twice.
-His 4.8% walk percentage is the best among Air Force hurlers.
Bird of Prey
-Air Force closer Sawyer Hawks has not allowed a run in his last three appearances.
-In those three games, Hawks has 10 strikeouts over his last 6.0 IP.
-In his last appearance against Nevada, Hawks punched out eight the 10 batters he faced, a single-game career-high.
-The big righty leads the Falcons with a strikeout percentage of 30.4%.
Ol' Reliable
-Reliever Duke Benge has amassed 21 appearances in Air Force's first 37 games.
-He's one of only 15 DI pitchers with at least 21 appearances in 2023.
Up Next
-Following the Falcons series against the Lobos, Air Force will remain at home to play San Jose State for a weekend conference clash starting April 28.
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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
