Tuesday, April 4
Austin, TX
3:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
at
University of Texas
Falcons draw Longhorns for one game series
4/3/2023 5:41:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Tue: at #21 Texas, April 4, 3:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Television: Longhorn Network
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Air Force and Texas first met a season ago, with their paths crossing twice.
-The Falcons and Longhorns split a two-game midweek series in Austin during the regular season.
-At the NCAA Regionals hosted by Texas, the Longhorns defeated Air Force in the opening round before again besting the Falcons in the Regional Final.
-As a result, the Falcons own a 1-3 record in four games against the Longhorns.
Pitching Probables
Tue: RHP Duke Benge (2-2, 6.07 ERA) vs. LHP Ace Whitehead (2-0, 6.23 ERA)
Projected Lineup
1. L/R, Blake Covin, CF (.869 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 3B (1.110 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, DH (1.087 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.745 OPS)
5. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.827 OPS)
6. R/R, Charlie Jones, 1B (.905 OPS)
7. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.752 OPS)
8. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.677 OPS)
9. S/R, Aaron Reyes, C (.846 OPS)
The Previous Series (vs. UNLV)
Game One
-The Falcons held an 8-7 lead heading into the 7th, but the Rebels scored the final three runs of the game to close out Game One of Saturday's double-dip, as Air Force fell 10-8.
-Jake Greiving was 3-5, coming just a homer short of the cycle. The junior drove in a team-best three runs in three different plate appearances while also stealing his first bag of the spring. Aerik Joe also had three hits to go with a run scored.
-Sam Kulasingam and Jay Thomason kept their on-base streaks alive, as the pair managed two hits each. Kulasingam extended his on-base streak to 23-consecutive games while Thomason's run of reaching base hits 14 games. Kulasingam also swiped a base in the bottom half of the 1st.
-Blake Covin doubled home two runs in the 2nd to five the Falcons a 4-3 lead, as the senior finished 1-6.
-Chase Spencer was 2-3 after entering the game in the 5th, knocking a couple of base-hits. Trayden Tamiya had a single and a sac fly. Landon Boyd poked a base-hit into right field 5th to drive in a run.
-Doyle Gehring didn't have his sharpest command, as he lasted just 4.0+ innings. The junior allowed six runs (five earned) to go with five hits, five walks, and a hit batter.
-Jake Sansing entered in the 5th after Gehring walked the first batter of the inning. With the Falcons leading 8-7 to start the 7th, Sansing saw the Rebels score twice to retake a 9-8 lead.
-In the Falcons half of the 7th, it looked like the hosts would immediately land a counter-punch. Joe led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch, followed by a Spencer single. Boyd laid down a bunt towards third, but an attempt to force the out at third base was not in time, as Air Force loaded the bases with nobody out. However, a Covin strikeout and a Kulasingam double play ended the threat.
Game Two
-The Falcons came out roaring in Game Two, as the home team built a 10-0 lead through the first five innings before eventually putting a stamp on the 17-5 victory.
-Aaron Reyes clubbed his first two Air Force homers as part of a 3-5 afternoon. The sophomore backstop drove in three runs while also scoring three times.
-Charlie Jones made only his second start of the spring, as the hulking freshman launched his first-career home run over the batter's eye in center in the 7th. Jones finished 2-5 with 3 RBI.
-Blake Covin was a perfect 3-3 with a RBI, a walk and four runs scored.
-Sam Kulasingam reached base in three of his six plate appearances to extend his on-base streak to a rousing 24 games.
-Jay Thomason smacked his conference-leading 10th home run of the spring to cap a 2-5 day. Thomason was responsible for 3 RBI, and has now reached base in 14-consecutive ballgames.
-Jake Greiving maintained his stellar form, going 2-5 with two doubles and a RBI. Chase Spencer was 2-4 with a run batted in, while both Trayden Tamiya and Aerik Joe each produced triples.
-Air Force scored at least two runs in six of their eight turns at the plate, while the Falcons 12 extra-base hits are tied for the second-most ever in a Mountain West Conference matchup in program history.
-Dylan Rogers was fantastic, scattering 10 hits over 7.0 IP to earn his first win of 2023. Rogers allowed just one run over his 21 outs, nine of which came via the ground ball.
Game Three
-Air Force played it way out of the ballgame in Sunday's opening inning, as the Falcons were unable to keep the Rebels from adding on in Sunday's 21-7 loss.
-Sam Kulasingam led the Falcons with three doubles in four plate appearances while driving in a run, as his on-base streak has now reached 25 games. Kulasingam has been on base in 28 of 29 games this season.
-Jake Greiving was 2-4 with an RBI, as was Trayden Tamiya who was credited with 2 RBI. Aerik Joe finished 1-3 with a two-run single.
-Blake Covin also doubled home a run in the 7th, as the senior has 13 hits in his last 24 at-bats (.542).
-Seungmin Shim was never allowed to get into a rhythm in the series finale. The junior southpaw recorded a one-out strikeout before three-consecutive errors paved the way for seven unearned runs in the 1st. Shim was pulled after 1.0+ innings, having allowed eight runs (one earned) to go with three hits, three walks and a strikeout.
-Ben Weber entered in the 2nd, and gave the Falcons 4.0+ innings of relief. The freshman was charged with five runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Duke Benge and Joey Collier combined to pitch the final two innings of the game, allowing eight runs (six earned).
-The game was eventually called due to the Mountain West's mercy rule after seven innings.
A Walking Hit
-In his first 29 games, Sam Kulasingam owns a .411 BA, the second-best mark among Mountain West players.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is also one of only five players in Division I with at least 51 hits thus far in 2023.
-The junior's 18 multi-hit games lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 25-game on-base streak, having reached base in 28 of 29 games this season.
-A master of bat control, Kulasingam also owns more walks (19) 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 (10), and is behind only Kulasingam with a 1.087 OPS.
-Thomason currently leads the conference in home runs with 10, and is one of only 63 DI players with double-digit home runs thus far.
-Thomason's 29 RBI are second in the Air Force dugout.
-Thomason's 14-game on-base streak was snapped on April 2.
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 13 times in 134 plate appearances (9.7%).
-Tamiya's 9.3 at-bats-per-strikeout is among the top figures in college baseball.
-Tamiya also hasn't recorded an error in 140 chances at second base, leading the Mountain West with 98 assists.
Blake is Raking
-After starting the year 5-40 (.125), Covin has caught fire, going 24-47 (.511) over his last 12 games.
-Covin has at least one hit in 10 of his last 12 games.
-The senior managed a career-high five hits in six at-bats on March 26.
-Covin has more RBI (11) over his last 10 games than he did in his previous 15 games (1).
The Bull
-Jake Greiving has returned to his usual self after posting a .943 OPS in 2022.
-After an up-and-down start at the plate, Greiving is 20-56 (.357) over his last 11 games.
-Greiving has taken over the team lead in RBI with 30, having driven home 17 runs the last six games.
-The junior has also managed multiple hits in each of his last six games.
-His 35 hits are third-most among the Falcons.
Ol' Reliable
-Reliever Duke Benge has amassed 17 appearances in Air Force's first 29 games.
-He's one of only seven DI pitchers with at least 16 appearances in 2023.
Up Next
-Following the Falcons lone game in Austin, Air Force will return home to host Fresno State, as the series begins Thursday, April 6.
Tue: at #21 Texas, April 4, 3:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Television: Longhorn Network
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Air Force and Texas first met a season ago, with their paths crossing twice.
-The Falcons and Longhorns split a two-game midweek series in Austin during the regular season.
-At the NCAA Regionals hosted by Texas, the Longhorns defeated Air Force in the opening round before again besting the Falcons in the Regional Final.
-As a result, the Falcons own a 1-3 record in four games against the Longhorns.
Pitching Probables
Tue: RHP Duke Benge (2-2, 6.07 ERA) vs. LHP Ace Whitehead (2-0, 6.23 ERA)
Projected Lineup
1. L/R, Blake Covin, CF (.869 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 3B (1.110 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, DH (1.087 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.745 OPS)
5. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.827 OPS)
6. R/R, Charlie Jones, 1B (.905 OPS)
7. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.752 OPS)
8. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.677 OPS)
9. S/R, Aaron Reyes, C (.846 OPS)
The Previous Series (vs. UNLV)
Game One
-The Falcons held an 8-7 lead heading into the 7th, but the Rebels scored the final three runs of the game to close out Game One of Saturday's double-dip, as Air Force fell 10-8.
-Jake Greiving was 3-5, coming just a homer short of the cycle. The junior drove in a team-best three runs in three different plate appearances while also stealing his first bag of the spring. Aerik Joe also had three hits to go with a run scored.
-Sam Kulasingam and Jay Thomason kept their on-base streaks alive, as the pair managed two hits each. Kulasingam extended his on-base streak to 23-consecutive games while Thomason's run of reaching base hits 14 games. Kulasingam also swiped a base in the bottom half of the 1st.
-Blake Covin doubled home two runs in the 2nd to five the Falcons a 4-3 lead, as the senior finished 1-6.
-Chase Spencer was 2-3 after entering the game in the 5th, knocking a couple of base-hits. Trayden Tamiya had a single and a sac fly. Landon Boyd poked a base-hit into right field 5th to drive in a run.
-Doyle Gehring didn't have his sharpest command, as he lasted just 4.0+ innings. The junior allowed six runs (five earned) to go with five hits, five walks, and a hit batter.
-Jake Sansing entered in the 5th after Gehring walked the first batter of the inning. With the Falcons leading 8-7 to start the 7th, Sansing saw the Rebels score twice to retake a 9-8 lead.
-In the Falcons half of the 7th, it looked like the hosts would immediately land a counter-punch. Joe led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch, followed by a Spencer single. Boyd laid down a bunt towards third, but an attempt to force the out at third base was not in time, as Air Force loaded the bases with nobody out. However, a Covin strikeout and a Kulasingam double play ended the threat.
Game Two
-The Falcons came out roaring in Game Two, as the home team built a 10-0 lead through the first five innings before eventually putting a stamp on the 17-5 victory.
-Aaron Reyes clubbed his first two Air Force homers as part of a 3-5 afternoon. The sophomore backstop drove in three runs while also scoring three times.
-Charlie Jones made only his second start of the spring, as the hulking freshman launched his first-career home run over the batter's eye in center in the 7th. Jones finished 2-5 with 3 RBI.
-Blake Covin was a perfect 3-3 with a RBI, a walk and four runs scored.
-Sam Kulasingam reached base in three of his six plate appearances to extend his on-base streak to a rousing 24 games.
-Jay Thomason smacked his conference-leading 10th home run of the spring to cap a 2-5 day. Thomason was responsible for 3 RBI, and has now reached base in 14-consecutive ballgames.
-Jake Greiving maintained his stellar form, going 2-5 with two doubles and a RBI. Chase Spencer was 2-4 with a run batted in, while both Trayden Tamiya and Aerik Joe each produced triples.
-Air Force scored at least two runs in six of their eight turns at the plate, while the Falcons 12 extra-base hits are tied for the second-most ever in a Mountain West Conference matchup in program history.
-Dylan Rogers was fantastic, scattering 10 hits over 7.0 IP to earn his first win of 2023. Rogers allowed just one run over his 21 outs, nine of which came via the ground ball.
Game Three
-Air Force played it way out of the ballgame in Sunday's opening inning, as the Falcons were unable to keep the Rebels from adding on in Sunday's 21-7 loss.
-Sam Kulasingam led the Falcons with three doubles in four plate appearances while driving in a run, as his on-base streak has now reached 25 games. Kulasingam has been on base in 28 of 29 games this season.
-Jake Greiving was 2-4 with an RBI, as was Trayden Tamiya who was credited with 2 RBI. Aerik Joe finished 1-3 with a two-run single.
-Blake Covin also doubled home a run in the 7th, as the senior has 13 hits in his last 24 at-bats (.542).
-Seungmin Shim was never allowed to get into a rhythm in the series finale. The junior southpaw recorded a one-out strikeout before three-consecutive errors paved the way for seven unearned runs in the 1st. Shim was pulled after 1.0+ innings, having allowed eight runs (one earned) to go with three hits, three walks and a strikeout.
-Ben Weber entered in the 2nd, and gave the Falcons 4.0+ innings of relief. The freshman was charged with five runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts. Duke Benge and Joey Collier combined to pitch the final two innings of the game, allowing eight runs (six earned).
-The game was eventually called due to the Mountain West's mercy rule after seven innings.
A Walking Hit
-In his first 29 games, Sam Kulasingam owns a .411 BA, the second-best mark among Mountain West players.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is also one of only five players in Division I with at least 51 hits thus far in 2023.
-The junior's 18 multi-hit games lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 25-game on-base streak, having reached base in 28 of 29 games this season.
-A master of bat control, Kulasingam also owns more walks (19) 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 (10), and is behind only Kulasingam with a 1.087 OPS.
-Thomason currently leads the conference in home runs with 10, and is one of only 63 DI players with double-digit home runs thus far.
-Thomason's 29 RBI are second in the Air Force dugout.
-Thomason's 14-game on-base streak was snapped on April 2.
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 13 times in 134 plate appearances (9.7%).
-Tamiya's 9.3 at-bats-per-strikeout is among the top figures in college baseball.
-Tamiya also hasn't recorded an error in 140 chances at second base, leading the Mountain West with 98 assists.
Blake is Raking
-After starting the year 5-40 (.125), Covin has caught fire, going 24-47 (.511) over his last 12 games.
-Covin has at least one hit in 10 of his last 12 games.
-The senior managed a career-high five hits in six at-bats on March 26.
-Covin has more RBI (11) over his last 10 games than he did in his previous 15 games (1).
The Bull
-Jake Greiving has returned to his usual self after posting a .943 OPS in 2022.
-After an up-and-down start at the plate, Greiving is 20-56 (.357) over his last 11 games.
-Greiving has taken over the team lead in RBI with 30, having driven home 17 runs the last six games.
-The junior has also managed multiple hits in each of his last six games.
-His 35 hits are third-most among the Falcons.
Ol' Reliable
-Reliever Duke Benge has amassed 17 appearances in Air Force's first 29 games.
-He's one of only seven DI pitchers with at least 16 appearances in 2023.
Up Next
-Following the Falcons lone game in Austin, Air Force will return home to host Fresno State, as the series begins Thursday, April 6.
Players Mentioned
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