Thursday, May 25
Fresno, CA
2:30 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
San Diego State University
Photo by: Hozana Arceri
Falcons to begin title defense against Aztecs
5/24/2023 6:00:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Thu: vs. San Diego State, May 25, 2:30 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1961, Air Force is 35-120 against San Diego State.
-Both teams took two of three in their respective home series earlier this season, with both teams garnering a 3-3 record versus each other in 2023.
-The Falcons are 5-10 in their last five series against the Aztecs.
Pitching Probables
Thu: RHP Sawyer Hawks (3-0, 3.02 ERA) vs. RHP Jadon Bercovich (0-1, 3.18 ERA)
Projected Lineup
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.747 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.141 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.146 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.837 OPS)
5. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.837 OPS)
6. R/R Chase Spencer, RF (.838 OPS)
7. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.750 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.512 OPS)
9. L/R Blake Covin, CF (.678 OPS)
Last Series (vs. UNLV)
Game One
-Holding an eight-run lead, Air Force saw UNLV trim the deficit to a single run, but Sawyer Hawks earned his eighth save of the spring to guide Air Force to a 10-9 win.
-The Falcons were the aggressors on Thursday, scoring nine of the game's first 10 runs.
-In the 3rd, Greiving lined his sixth homer of the spring, a two-run shot, to put Air Force up 4-1. The Falcons closed the 3rd with five runs, punctuated by an Aerik Joe RBI single. Joe has now reached base in 28-consecutive games, as he and Chase Spencer were the only Falcons with multiple hits.
-Spencer, who was responsible for three stolen bases on Thursday, finished 2-5 with a double.
-In the 5th, Matt Thompson lifted his second sacrifice fly of the evening to increase the Falcons lead to 8-1. An inning later, Jay Thomason launched a solo homer into right-center, peaking the Falcons advantage to 9-1.
-Air Force created four sacrifice flies in total, while the Falcons six stolen bases are a season-high.
-Jake Sansing picked up his sixth win of the spring, cruising for much of the game until running into trouble in the 6th. Having allowed just one run through his first five innings, the Rebels struck for four runs in the 6th to force Sansing out of the game.
-Sansing's line closed at 5.2 IP, allowing five runs on 10 hits with a strikeout and two walks.
-The Rebels put quite a scare in the visiting dugout in the 8th, as Sawyer Hawks entered from the bullpen. Hawks walked the first batter he faced, a baserunner that eventually wound up on third after consecutive wild pitches.
-Hawks managed to pick up a strikeout and induce a lineout to Thomason to pick up two outs, but a hit batter and a walk loaded the bases. Even so, a fastball on the outside corner saw Hawks nab his second strikeout of the inning to keep the Falcons in front.
-In the final inning, the big right-hander performed to much less theater, striking out two of the three batters he faced to secure the win. Hawks' eight saves this season tie him for third-most in a single season in program history.
Game Two
-Air Force saw UNLV score in every inning, including multiple runs in seven of the Rebels eight turns at the plate, as the Falcons were taken to task in Friday's 19-5 loss.
-Jay Thomason was the only Falcons with multiple hits, going 2-4 with 3 RBI. Thomason was responsible for a two-run double in the 2nd before launching his 20th home run of the spring in the 5th.
-Thomason becomes the first Falcon since Nic Ready in 2018 to reach the 20-homer plateau, now sitting just one home run shy of Mark Frankenberg's program record set in 1988.
-Doyle Gehring was hit with the loss after tossing just 2.0 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with three walks. The Falcons called upon four more pitchers throughout the evening, as each surrendered at least a run. Air Force pitching walked 10 batters while surrendering nine extra-base hits.
-The Falcons led 4-2 after the top of the 2nd, but saw the Rebels eventually score 17 of the game's next 18 runs.
Game Three
-After scoring two runs in the game's first inning, the Falcons surrendered eight runs in the bottom of the 1st, as the early hole was to deep to climb out of in Saturday's 13-4 loss.
-Jay Thomason managed two doubles in four at-bats, driving in a run in the 5th. Trayden Tamiya was also 2-4, as both of his hits were RBI singles.
-Matt Thompson produced multiple hits as well, going 2-4 with a double.
-Chase Spencer was 1-5, though his lone base-hit plated a run in the 1st.
-Sam Kulasingam's on-base streak will travel with him to Fresno, as the junior ended his day 1-3 with a double, two walks and two runs scored. He has now reached base in 51-consecutive games, and in 55 of 56 games so far this season.
-The Falcons did not score beyond the 5th inning.
-It was tough start for Dylan Rogers, who picked up just two outs before Coach Kaz pulled the plug on his afternoon. Rogers exited the ballgame having allowed seven runs on five hits in the bottom of the 1st.
Greatness
-In 55 regular season games, Sam Kulasingam owns a .405 BA, the highest qualified mark among Mountain West players and 20th overall in Division I.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is also one of only 13 players in Division I with at least 90 hits thus far in 2023.
-Since 2022, Kulasingam owns a .409 BA in 487 at-bats.
-The junior's 29 multi-hit games in 55 starts lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 51-game on-base streak, the third-longest active streak in Division I.
-The switch-hitter is also bringing an 18-game hitting streak to Fresno.
-Kulasingam is currently tied for the DI lead with 26 doubles.
-A master of bat control, Kulasingam also owns nearly twice as many walks (44) than strikeouts (23).
-Kulasingam's 44 walks this season are tied for the most-ever in a single season, coincidentally tied with head coach Mike Kazlausky, who set the record in 1989.
-Kulasingam has struck out in only 8.4% of his plate appearances this spring.
-His 44 walks are best in the conference.
-Kulasingam's 139 total bases are second in the MW, as is his 1.141 OPS.
-The junior's durability has never been in question, as Kulasingam has started 121-consecutive games.
#BOMBason is Back
-After leading Air Force with 16 home runs a season ago, Jay Thomason has improved upon his status as a power threat.
-Thomason again owns the team lead in home runs (20), surpassing his career-high set a season ago.
-Thomason is now 7th in program history with 36 career home runs.
-Thomason currently owns the conference lead in homers, and is one of only 35 players in DI with at least 20 dingers.
-Thomason is the only player in program history to record at least 20 doubles and 20 home runs in the same season.
-Thomason's 153 total bases lead the MW, as do his 65 RBI.
-The lefty isn't afraid to see southpaws, hitting a team-best .473 against lefties.
One of a Kind
-On April 29, head coach Mike Kazlausky surpassed Joe Robison for the most wins at Air Force with 283.
-On the honor, Coach Kaz said the following:
"For me, winning on the baseball field is just a small piece of what we do here at USAFA. I am humbled by the recognition, but what is even more meaningful to me is being surrounded by this amazing team of coaches and players each and every day. Our mission at Air Force is so much bigger than baseball and I am the one who is inspired and motivated when I see what they do both on and off the field. More importantly, the kind of people they are and who I know they will become. When I think about winning the most this or that, I think about my own mentors, like my own father and Coach Robison and Coach (Paul) Mainieri. A record is something that will eventually be broken, but the thing that matters most to me is what we are doing to prepare these young men for their service to our country. I'm proud of our men willing to make the commitment fight for our nation. That's the win that matters for our country."
The Captain
-Trayden Tamiya has been one the Falcons most consistent offensive threats.
-Tamiya's .346 average is second to only Kulasingam among Falcons.
-Tamiya's 80 hits are tied for second-most in the conference.
-Tamiya has been charged with just two errors in 220 chances at second base (.991), while his two errors are fewest among players with at least 122 chances in the Mountain West.
-Another Iron Man, Tamiya has started 116-consecutive games.
Here Come the Horns
-Jake Greiving has been mashing, as his OPS has risen from .745 on April 11 to .837 as of May 24.
-In his last 13 games, Greiving is 20-49 (.436) with 4 HR's, 3 2B's and 18 RBI.
-Greiving's 22 doubles are third-most in the Mountain West and are tied for fifth-most in Division I.
Aerik is Cookin'
-Aerik Joe has sneakily been one of the Falcons most consistent threats over the past month.
-Joe has reached base in each of his last 30 games, with at least one hit in 19 of his last 22 games.
Bird of Prey
-Air Force closer Sawyer Hawks has allowed just three runs in his last 11 appearances.
-In those 11 games, Hawks has 32 strikeouts over his last 22.1 IP.
-The big righty leads the Falcons with a strikeout percentage of 31.1%.
-Hawks has also amassed an 88.1% left-on base percentage, leading the team.
-He's one of only four pitchers in the MW with at least eight saves.
-Thursday will mark Hawks' first start of the spring, and first since April 26, 2022.
Spencer Confidential
-Chase Spencer has been key to Air Force's recent run of success.
-The sophomore is on a 20-56 (.357) run over his last 16 games.
-Spencer has drawn 13 walks in that span.
-The Falcons right fielder also has 14 steals in 16 tries to lead the team, the third-most in the MW.
Thu: vs. San Diego State, May 25, 2:30 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1961, Air Force is 35-120 against San Diego State.
-Both teams took two of three in their respective home series earlier this season, with both teams garnering a 3-3 record versus each other in 2023.
-The Falcons are 5-10 in their last five series against the Aztecs.
Pitching Probables
Thu: RHP Sawyer Hawks (3-0, 3.02 ERA) vs. RHP Jadon Bercovich (0-1, 3.18 ERA)
Projected Lineup
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.747 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.141 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.146 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.837 OPS)
5. R/R, Trayden Tamiya, 2B (.837 OPS)
6. R/R Chase Spencer, RF (.838 OPS)
7. R/R, Matt Thompson, LF (.750 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.512 OPS)
9. L/R Blake Covin, CF (.678 OPS)
Last Series (vs. UNLV)
Game One
-Holding an eight-run lead, Air Force saw UNLV trim the deficit to a single run, but Sawyer Hawks earned his eighth save of the spring to guide Air Force to a 10-9 win.
-The Falcons were the aggressors on Thursday, scoring nine of the game's first 10 runs.
-In the 3rd, Greiving lined his sixth homer of the spring, a two-run shot, to put Air Force up 4-1. The Falcons closed the 3rd with five runs, punctuated by an Aerik Joe RBI single. Joe has now reached base in 28-consecutive games, as he and Chase Spencer were the only Falcons with multiple hits.
-Spencer, who was responsible for three stolen bases on Thursday, finished 2-5 with a double.
-In the 5th, Matt Thompson lifted his second sacrifice fly of the evening to increase the Falcons lead to 8-1. An inning later, Jay Thomason launched a solo homer into right-center, peaking the Falcons advantage to 9-1.
-Air Force created four sacrifice flies in total, while the Falcons six stolen bases are a season-high.
-Jake Sansing picked up his sixth win of the spring, cruising for much of the game until running into trouble in the 6th. Having allowed just one run through his first five innings, the Rebels struck for four runs in the 6th to force Sansing out of the game.
-Sansing's line closed at 5.2 IP, allowing five runs on 10 hits with a strikeout and two walks.
-The Rebels put quite a scare in the visiting dugout in the 8th, as Sawyer Hawks entered from the bullpen. Hawks walked the first batter he faced, a baserunner that eventually wound up on third after consecutive wild pitches.
-Hawks managed to pick up a strikeout and induce a lineout to Thomason to pick up two outs, but a hit batter and a walk loaded the bases. Even so, a fastball on the outside corner saw Hawks nab his second strikeout of the inning to keep the Falcons in front.
-In the final inning, the big right-hander performed to much less theater, striking out two of the three batters he faced to secure the win. Hawks' eight saves this season tie him for third-most in a single season in program history.
Game Two
-Air Force saw UNLV score in every inning, including multiple runs in seven of the Rebels eight turns at the plate, as the Falcons were taken to task in Friday's 19-5 loss.
-Jay Thomason was the only Falcons with multiple hits, going 2-4 with 3 RBI. Thomason was responsible for a two-run double in the 2nd before launching his 20th home run of the spring in the 5th.
-Thomason becomes the first Falcon since Nic Ready in 2018 to reach the 20-homer plateau, now sitting just one home run shy of Mark Frankenberg's program record set in 1988.
-Doyle Gehring was hit with the loss after tossing just 2.0 innings, allowing five runs on five hits with three walks. The Falcons called upon four more pitchers throughout the evening, as each surrendered at least a run. Air Force pitching walked 10 batters while surrendering nine extra-base hits.
-The Falcons led 4-2 after the top of the 2nd, but saw the Rebels eventually score 17 of the game's next 18 runs.
Game Three
-After scoring two runs in the game's first inning, the Falcons surrendered eight runs in the bottom of the 1st, as the early hole was to deep to climb out of in Saturday's 13-4 loss.
-Jay Thomason managed two doubles in four at-bats, driving in a run in the 5th. Trayden Tamiya was also 2-4, as both of his hits were RBI singles.
-Matt Thompson produced multiple hits as well, going 2-4 with a double.
-Chase Spencer was 1-5, though his lone base-hit plated a run in the 1st.
-Sam Kulasingam's on-base streak will travel with him to Fresno, as the junior ended his day 1-3 with a double, two walks and two runs scored. He has now reached base in 51-consecutive games, and in 55 of 56 games so far this season.
-The Falcons did not score beyond the 5th inning.
-It was tough start for Dylan Rogers, who picked up just two outs before Coach Kaz pulled the plug on his afternoon. Rogers exited the ballgame having allowed seven runs on five hits in the bottom of the 1st.
Greatness
-In 55 regular season games, Sam Kulasingam owns a .405 BA, the highest qualified mark among Mountain West players and 20th overall in Division I.
-The reigning Mountain West Player of the Year is also one of only 13 players in Division I with at least 90 hits thus far in 2023.
-Since 2022, Kulasingam owns a .409 BA in 487 at-bats.
-The junior's 29 multi-hit games in 55 starts lead the team.
-Kulasingam is currently riding a 51-game on-base streak, the third-longest active streak in Division I.
-The switch-hitter is also bringing an 18-game hitting streak to Fresno.
-Kulasingam is currently tied for the DI lead with 26 doubles.
-A master of bat control, Kulasingam also owns nearly twice as many walks (44) than strikeouts (23).
-Kulasingam's 44 walks this season are tied for the most-ever in a single season, coincidentally tied with head coach Mike Kazlausky, who set the record in 1989.
-Kulasingam has struck out in only 8.4% of his plate appearances this spring.
-His 44 walks are best in the conference.
-Kulasingam's 139 total bases are second in the MW, as is his 1.141 OPS.
-The junior's durability has never been in question, as Kulasingam has started 121-consecutive games.
#BOMBason is Back
-After leading Air Force with 16 home runs a season ago, Jay Thomason has improved upon his status as a power threat.
-Thomason again owns the team lead in home runs (20), surpassing his career-high set a season ago.
-Thomason is now 7th in program history with 36 career home runs.
-Thomason currently owns the conference lead in homers, and is one of only 35 players in DI with at least 20 dingers.
-Thomason is the only player in program history to record at least 20 doubles and 20 home runs in the same season.
-Thomason's 153 total bases lead the MW, as do his 65 RBI.
-The lefty isn't afraid to see southpaws, hitting a team-best .473 against lefties.
One of a Kind
-On April 29, head coach Mike Kazlausky surpassed Joe Robison for the most wins at Air Force with 283.
-On the honor, Coach Kaz said the following:
"For me, winning on the baseball field is just a small piece of what we do here at USAFA. I am humbled by the recognition, but what is even more meaningful to me is being surrounded by this amazing team of coaches and players each and every day. Our mission at Air Force is so much bigger than baseball and I am the one who is inspired and motivated when I see what they do both on and off the field. More importantly, the kind of people they are and who I know they will become. When I think about winning the most this or that, I think about my own mentors, like my own father and Coach Robison and Coach (Paul) Mainieri. A record is something that will eventually be broken, but the thing that matters most to me is what we are doing to prepare these young men for their service to our country. I'm proud of our men willing to make the commitment fight for our nation. That's the win that matters for our country."
The Captain
-Trayden Tamiya has been one the Falcons most consistent offensive threats.
-Tamiya's .346 average is second to only Kulasingam among Falcons.
-Tamiya's 80 hits are tied for second-most in the conference.
-Tamiya has been charged with just two errors in 220 chances at second base (.991), while his two errors are fewest among players with at least 122 chances in the Mountain West.
-Another Iron Man, Tamiya has started 116-consecutive games.
Here Come the Horns
-Jake Greiving has been mashing, as his OPS has risen from .745 on April 11 to .837 as of May 24.
-In his last 13 games, Greiving is 20-49 (.436) with 4 HR's, 3 2B's and 18 RBI.
-Greiving's 22 doubles are third-most in the Mountain West and are tied for fifth-most in Division I.
Aerik is Cookin'
-Aerik Joe has sneakily been one of the Falcons most consistent threats over the past month.
-Joe has reached base in each of his last 30 games, with at least one hit in 19 of his last 22 games.
Bird of Prey
-Air Force closer Sawyer Hawks has allowed just three runs in his last 11 appearances.
-In those 11 games, Hawks has 32 strikeouts over his last 22.1 IP.
-The big righty leads the Falcons with a strikeout percentage of 31.1%.
-Hawks has also amassed an 88.1% left-on base percentage, leading the team.
-He's one of only four pitchers in the MW with at least eight saves.
-Thursday will mark Hawks' first start of the spring, and first since April 26, 2022.
Spencer Confidential
-Chase Spencer has been key to Air Force's recent run of success.
-The sophomore is on a 20-56 (.357) run over his last 16 games.
-Spencer has drawn 13 walks in that span.
-The Falcons right fielder also has 14 steals in 16 tries to lead the team, the third-most in the MW.
Players Mentioned
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RHP
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C
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