Hawks dominates, bats mash as Falcons open MW Tourney with 12-1 win

FRESNO- The reigning Mountain West Tournament champions opened their title defense with aplomb, as Air Force initiated the 10-run mercy rule following seven complete innings, defeating two-seed San Diego State 12-1.

Sawyer Hawks, making his first start of the 2023 season, was utterly dominant. Responsible for just one run, Hawks exited the ballgame after 6.0+ innings, striking out a career-high 10 batters. His 6.0 innings were also a career-best.

The sophomore pitched into the 7th, though Hawks had allowed all three batters he faced in the final inning to reach, forcing his exit after 110 pitches.

Hawks, named a Second Team All-Mountain West selection earlier today, now owns a team-best 2.84 ERA.

Duke Benge relieved Hawks, entering with the bases-loaded and no outs. The senior limited the suspense, inducing two flyouts and a groundout to end the ballgame.

Jake Greiving paced the Falcons lineup with a 2-3 day, as his three-run homer in the 2nd extended the Air Force lead to 5-0. Greiving also provided two sacrifice flies over the course of the afternoon, finishing the day with 5 RBI. Thursday marks the second five-RBI game for Greiving this season.

Jay Thomason tied Mark Frankenberg's 1989 single season home run record, slugging his 21st homer of the spring in the 4th. His two-run homer cleared the batter's eye in centerfield. The First Team All-Conference honoree was also 2-3, bringing home the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the 1st.

Earning his second-consecutive Player fo the Year honor on Thursday, Sam Kulasingam did nothing to refute the distinction.

Kulasingam was a perfect 2-2 with two singles, walking twice while getting beaned in the 4th. Kulasingam scored five of the Falcons 12 runs, as his free pass drawn in the 1st became his 45th walk of the spring, breaking Mike Kazlausky's all-time single season walks record set in 1989.

Kulasingam has now reached base in 52-consecutive games.

Chase Spencer finished 2-3, driving in the Falcons second run of the opening frame, while Aerik Joe doubled and scored in his first plate appearance. Joe's on-base streak continues to impress, having now reached 31 games.

Blake Covin was 1-3, plating a run with a bases-loaded walk in the 6th.

The Falcons scored in five of their seven turns at the plate, as the constant traffic on the bases led to two runs being scored via wild pitch or passed ball.

Air Force's winning margin this afternoon (11 runs) is the largest in any Mountain West Tournament win in program history.

Next, the Falcons will play the winner of the #1 San Jose State-#4 Fresno State matchup to be decided later this evening. However, Air Force is assured of a 7:00 pm MT start on Friday.

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