Friday, February 16
Starkville, MS
3:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
at
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Mississippi State University
Photo by: Trevor Cokley
Falcons to open spring in Mississippi
2/15/2024 4:00:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Fri: at Mississippi State, 3:00 pm MT
Sat: at Mississippi State, 3:00 pm MT
Sun: at Mississippi State, 12:00 pm MT
Mon: at Southern Miss, 3:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information (Mississippi State)
Live Stream: SEC Network+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History (Mississippi State)
-The Falcons and Bulldogs have met only once, a three-game series in 2008.
-Air Force were defeated 3-1 in the opener, won the second game 6-4, and were bested 16-8 in the rubber game.
Broadcast Information (Southern Miss)
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History (Southern Miss)
-Monday, February 19 will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Pitching Probables (2023 Stats)
Fri: LHP Seungmin Shim (4-3, 7.38 ERA) vs. RHP Nate Dohm (6-4, 4.07 ERA)
Sat: LHP Jack Bello (N/A) vs. RHP Khal Stephen (7-4, 5.21 ERA)
Sun: RHP Ben Weber (2-3, 6.13 ERA) vs. BHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (3-5, 8.10 ERA)
Mon: TBA vs. TBA
Projected Lineup (2023 OPS)
1. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.858 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.192 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.161 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.852 OPS)
5. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (.697 OPS)
6. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.723 OPS)
7. R/R, T.J. Oster, 2B (.751 OPS)
8. R/R, Zach Peters, RF (.250 OPS)
9. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.445 OPS)
Key Returners
Air Force landed two Preseason All-Mountain West selections prior to the 2024 season, as both Sam Kulasingam and Jay Thomason were among the conference's preseason standout list.
Kulasingam, awarded his second-consecutive Preseason All-Mountain West, is the reigning two-time Tony Gwynn Mountain West Player of the Year, having slashed a staggering .426/.537/.655 in 59 games in 2023 to secure consecutive POTY honors. Kulasingam reached the 100-hit mark yet again in 2023, compiling a program record-tying 28 doubles while producing more than twice as many walks (50) than strikeouts (24). His 50 walks became a single season program record, eclipsing none other than Mike Kazlausky's previous program-high of 44 walks set in 1989. As well, Kulasingam is the only player in Air Force history to record multiple 100-hit seasons. His on-base streak will stretch into his senior year, a streak that now spans 55-consecutive games.
Kulasingam led all Mountain West players in batting average (.426), doubles (28), walks (50), on-base percentage (.537), as his batting average closed as the fourth-highest figure in Division I following the conclusion of his spring. His 28 doubles was tied with Florida's Wyatt Langford, the 4th-overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, for the national lead in two-baggers. Kulasingam will also carry a 124-game played streak into his senior season as well as a 22-game hitting streak into the new year. Kulasingam was also named a Preseason All-American by Perfect Game and the NCBWA, and was named to the Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List.
Thomason, with his second Preseason All-Conference honor under his belt, was as prolific a slugger as any in college baseball a season ago, as his 21 home runs led all players in the Mountain West. His 21 home runs this season saw him tie Mark Frankenberg for the most home runs in a single season in program history, becoming the first Air Force player to record 20+ home runs and 20+ doubles. The left-handed power bat also led the conference in total bases (164), slugging (.722), RBI (74), and was second only to Kulasingam in OPS (1.161). Thomason's 74 RBI places him in a timeshare with Nic Ready for the second-most RBI by an Air Force player in program history, as his 164 total bases are also second-most in the program's existence. The Auburn native (37 career home runs) will enter his final season at Air Force 14 home runs shy of the program record, as Ready's 50 career home runs remains the program benchmark. His on-base streak of 29-consecutive games remains alive at the start of 2024, as does his 12-game hitting streak. Thomason also drew Preseason All-American honors from the NCBWA.
Air Force also returns Jake Greiving, who has appeared in all but four games since the start of 2022. Nicknamed "The Bull", Greiving finished with a .297 batting average and .852 OPS in 2023, as his 24 doubles were tied for fifth-most in a single season in Air Force history. Those 24 doubles were second-most behind teammate Sam Kulasingam for second-most in the Mountain West, and were tied for fifth-most in Division I. Greiving drove in 62 runs, third-most in the Mountain West, while compiling 124 total bases, eighth-most among Mountain West players. As well, his 73 hits were seventh-most among Mountain West players,having also led the conference with seven sacrifice flies. One can expect to see Greiving as a fixture in the Air Force lineup yet again in 2024.
Chase Spencer, now a junior, appeared in all 59 games for the Falcons last season, leading the Mountain West with 18 steals in 20 attempts (90%). To go with a solid .858 OPS, Spencer's speed and athleticism will see him slotted into center field for the foreseeable future. He also carries a 28-game on-base streak into 2024.
Air Force will be thankful to lean on Aerik Joe as the Falcons everyday shortstop. The senior has started all but one game since 2022, and brings solid tools to both sides of the game. Joe led all Mountain West players with 165 assists, hitting .271 over the past two seasons. Joe also maintains a lofty on-base streak, a run that stands at 34-straight games to begin the 2024 campaign.
Rounding out the lineup, expect Chris Stallings to remain a regular feature for Air Force, as he brings speed, power, and capable defense to the corner outfield.
On the mound, Air Force will see the early tutelage of new pitching coach Kyle Winkler in action. Seungmin Shim will assume Friday duties to begin the year, as the 6'4 lefty brings 16 starts and 30 games of experience since the start of 2022. Shim managed to hold opponents to one or fewer earned runs in 10 of his 18 appearances last season. Shim led the Falcons with a 2.07 GB/FB ratio a season ago.
Doyle Gehring, after starting 15 of his 16 games last season, will transition into the closer role. Gehring does have experience in the bullpen, as he accumulated six saves as sophomore in 2022 prior to moving into the starting rotation at the end of that year. The 2023 Preseason All-Conference selection will bring an interesting arsenal to late-game situations, including a reported uptick in velocity to go with his high-level spin rates.
Ben Weber, who provided a calming presence on the mound as a freshman, will begin his sophomore season in the starting rotation. Weber, a sinker-slider righty, appeared in 21 games last season, including five starts. Weber holds an ideal profile for Erdle Field, as the sophomore sported a 1.63 groundball-flyball ratio in 2023.
Though Dylan Rogers will not be immediately available to start the 2024 season, the junior will be expected to return to the mound early this spring. Rogers has totaled 120.1 IP since debuting as a freshman in 2022, owning a 1.78 GB/FB ratio in 2023.
The Falcons will also bring back key relievers such as Kyle Moats, who has 24 career appearances in his first three seasons at Air Force. Zach Peters will also be a mainstay in both the lineup and out of the bullpen, as the junior made 17 appearances out of the bullpen a season ago. Fan can expect to see more out of Jimmy Hebenstreit, who drew rave reports following his work in the fall.
Key Losses
Air Force will have to figure out life without such arms as Jake Sansing and Sawyer Hawks, two All-Conference selections from 2023.
Sansing led the Falcons starting arms with a 4.29 ERA and a team-best 79.2 innings last season. Air Force's Friday right-hander owned a 2.0 K/BB ratio with a team-high 7 wins.
Hawks, a formidable closer, transferred to Vanderbilt. The righty led the Falcons in strikeouts (70), saves (8), opponent average (.214), and WHIP (1.32).
In the lineup and on defense, the Falcons will no longer trot out such players as Blake Covin and Trayden Tamiya, two elite-level defenders.
Tamiya was named a national Gold Glove recipient to stamp his reputation as the country's premier second baseman. The award, presented by the American Baseball Coaches Association in conjunction with Rawlings, was the first such honor to be awarded to an Air Force player. Tamiya routinely dazzled attending audiences with his defensive work up the middle. The Hawaiian's .992 fielding percentage was easily the highest mark among all Mountain West middle infielders, as Tamiya recorded just two errors in 243 chances at second base. Also responsible for 26 double plays, Tamiya's 164 assists were second in the Mountain West, trailing teammate Aerik Joe by a single out despite 26 fewer fielding opportunities. Tamiya also had his most impactful season at the plate, as his 82 hits were second-most in the Mountain West Conference. Tamiya managed a .329 batting average, the seventh-best mark among Mountain West players in 2023.
Covin, who played 175 career games for the Falcons, left an endearing legacy with his speed and prowess in center field. The now Second-Lieutenant compiled 36 career stolen bases with a career .262/.368/.360 slash to go with his elite-level defense.
Air Force also graduated the likes of Duke Benge, Ryan Stohr, Matt Thompson, and Jason Shuger, all of whom combined for 219 games worth of playing time.
Keep A Look Out
The Falcons' depth can only bring about curiosity, as tools abound serve as a glimpse into Air Force's future...and potentially its present.
The coaching staff will lean on such young players as T.J. Oster, who can expect to see much more playing time in 2024. Oster, an Arizona product, performed admirably in limited stints as a freshman, posting a .316 average in 19 at-bats. He brings a prototypical middle infielder profile to the 2024 lineup. Another sophomore, Charlie Jones, is also slated to see more plate appearances, as the hulking sophomore's power bat will surely be deployed often this spring. Jack Bello, who will be starting Saturday for the Falcons against Mississippi State, brings a bit of two-way excitement, as the Floridian won't be limited following a season-long injury his freshman year.
Walker Zapp took control of the catching job towards the end of last spring, and will hold on to it begin his sophomore campaign. The coaching staff has raved about Zapp's defensive abilities, and a step forward offensively is certainly not out of the question.
A handful of young arms were given a taste of college baseball last season, a roster of players that includes Joey Collier and Cooper Loveridge. The Air Force coaching staff was pleased with their progress in the fall, which should result in more appearances this spring.
The coaching staff has also brought up freshmen names such as Sam Hentges, Gaines Estridge, Patrick Davidson, and Bowen Brantingham as potential immediate contributors.
On Deck
Following the weekend in Mississippi, Air Force will be licking its chops for a crack at Navy, as the Falcons and Midshipmen will meet for the annual Freedom Classic in Kinston, North Carolina. The three-game series is slated to begin February 23.
Fri: at Mississippi State, 3:00 pm MT
Sat: at Mississippi State, 3:00 pm MT
Sun: at Mississippi State, 12:00 pm MT
Mon: at Southern Miss, 3:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information (Mississippi State)
Live Stream: SEC Network+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History (Mississippi State)
-The Falcons and Bulldogs have met only once, a three-game series in 2008.
-Air Force were defeated 3-1 in the opener, won the second game 6-4, and were bested 16-8 in the rubber game.
Broadcast Information (Southern Miss)
Live Stream: ESPN+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History (Southern Miss)
-Monday, February 19 will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Pitching Probables (2023 Stats)
Fri: LHP Seungmin Shim (4-3, 7.38 ERA) vs. RHP Nate Dohm (6-4, 4.07 ERA)
Sat: LHP Jack Bello (N/A) vs. RHP Khal Stephen (7-4, 5.21 ERA)
Sun: RHP Ben Weber (2-3, 6.13 ERA) vs. BHP Jurrangelo Cijntje (3-5, 8.10 ERA)
Mon: TBA vs. TBA
Projected Lineup (2023 OPS)
1. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.858 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (1.192 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.161 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, DH (.852 OPS)
5. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (.697 OPS)
6. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.723 OPS)
7. R/R, T.J. Oster, 2B (.751 OPS)
8. R/R, Zach Peters, RF (.250 OPS)
9. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.445 OPS)
Key Returners
Air Force landed two Preseason All-Mountain West selections prior to the 2024 season, as both Sam Kulasingam and Jay Thomason were among the conference's preseason standout list.
Kulasingam, awarded his second-consecutive Preseason All-Mountain West, is the reigning two-time Tony Gwynn Mountain West Player of the Year, having slashed a staggering .426/.537/.655 in 59 games in 2023 to secure consecutive POTY honors. Kulasingam reached the 100-hit mark yet again in 2023, compiling a program record-tying 28 doubles while producing more than twice as many walks (50) than strikeouts (24). His 50 walks became a single season program record, eclipsing none other than Mike Kazlausky's previous program-high of 44 walks set in 1989. As well, Kulasingam is the only player in Air Force history to record multiple 100-hit seasons. His on-base streak will stretch into his senior year, a streak that now spans 55-consecutive games.
Kulasingam led all Mountain West players in batting average (.426), doubles (28), walks (50), on-base percentage (.537), as his batting average closed as the fourth-highest figure in Division I following the conclusion of his spring. His 28 doubles was tied with Florida's Wyatt Langford, the 4th-overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, for the national lead in two-baggers. Kulasingam will also carry a 124-game played streak into his senior season as well as a 22-game hitting streak into the new year. Kulasingam was also named a Preseason All-American by Perfect Game and the NCBWA, and was named to the Golden Spikes Preseason Watch List.
Thomason, with his second Preseason All-Conference honor under his belt, was as prolific a slugger as any in college baseball a season ago, as his 21 home runs led all players in the Mountain West. His 21 home runs this season saw him tie Mark Frankenberg for the most home runs in a single season in program history, becoming the first Air Force player to record 20+ home runs and 20+ doubles. The left-handed power bat also led the conference in total bases (164), slugging (.722), RBI (74), and was second only to Kulasingam in OPS (1.161). Thomason's 74 RBI places him in a timeshare with Nic Ready for the second-most RBI by an Air Force player in program history, as his 164 total bases are also second-most in the program's existence. The Auburn native (37 career home runs) will enter his final season at Air Force 14 home runs shy of the program record, as Ready's 50 career home runs remains the program benchmark. His on-base streak of 29-consecutive games remains alive at the start of 2024, as does his 12-game hitting streak. Thomason also drew Preseason All-American honors from the NCBWA.
Air Force also returns Jake Greiving, who has appeared in all but four games since the start of 2022. Nicknamed "The Bull", Greiving finished with a .297 batting average and .852 OPS in 2023, as his 24 doubles were tied for fifth-most in a single season in Air Force history. Those 24 doubles were second-most behind teammate Sam Kulasingam for second-most in the Mountain West, and were tied for fifth-most in Division I. Greiving drove in 62 runs, third-most in the Mountain West, while compiling 124 total bases, eighth-most among Mountain West players. As well, his 73 hits were seventh-most among Mountain West players,having also led the conference with seven sacrifice flies. One can expect to see Greiving as a fixture in the Air Force lineup yet again in 2024.
Chase Spencer, now a junior, appeared in all 59 games for the Falcons last season, leading the Mountain West with 18 steals in 20 attempts (90%). To go with a solid .858 OPS, Spencer's speed and athleticism will see him slotted into center field for the foreseeable future. He also carries a 28-game on-base streak into 2024.
Air Force will be thankful to lean on Aerik Joe as the Falcons everyday shortstop. The senior has started all but one game since 2022, and brings solid tools to both sides of the game. Joe led all Mountain West players with 165 assists, hitting .271 over the past two seasons. Joe also maintains a lofty on-base streak, a run that stands at 34-straight games to begin the 2024 campaign.
Rounding out the lineup, expect Chris Stallings to remain a regular feature for Air Force, as he brings speed, power, and capable defense to the corner outfield.
On the mound, Air Force will see the early tutelage of new pitching coach Kyle Winkler in action. Seungmin Shim will assume Friday duties to begin the year, as the 6'4 lefty brings 16 starts and 30 games of experience since the start of 2022. Shim managed to hold opponents to one or fewer earned runs in 10 of his 18 appearances last season. Shim led the Falcons with a 2.07 GB/FB ratio a season ago.
Doyle Gehring, after starting 15 of his 16 games last season, will transition into the closer role. Gehring does have experience in the bullpen, as he accumulated six saves as sophomore in 2022 prior to moving into the starting rotation at the end of that year. The 2023 Preseason All-Conference selection will bring an interesting arsenal to late-game situations, including a reported uptick in velocity to go with his high-level spin rates.
Ben Weber, who provided a calming presence on the mound as a freshman, will begin his sophomore season in the starting rotation. Weber, a sinker-slider righty, appeared in 21 games last season, including five starts. Weber holds an ideal profile for Erdle Field, as the sophomore sported a 1.63 groundball-flyball ratio in 2023.
Though Dylan Rogers will not be immediately available to start the 2024 season, the junior will be expected to return to the mound early this spring. Rogers has totaled 120.1 IP since debuting as a freshman in 2022, owning a 1.78 GB/FB ratio in 2023.
The Falcons will also bring back key relievers such as Kyle Moats, who has 24 career appearances in his first three seasons at Air Force. Zach Peters will also be a mainstay in both the lineup and out of the bullpen, as the junior made 17 appearances out of the bullpen a season ago. Fan can expect to see more out of Jimmy Hebenstreit, who drew rave reports following his work in the fall.
Key Losses
Air Force will have to figure out life without such arms as Jake Sansing and Sawyer Hawks, two All-Conference selections from 2023.
Sansing led the Falcons starting arms with a 4.29 ERA and a team-best 79.2 innings last season. Air Force's Friday right-hander owned a 2.0 K/BB ratio with a team-high 7 wins.
Hawks, a formidable closer, transferred to Vanderbilt. The righty led the Falcons in strikeouts (70), saves (8), opponent average (.214), and WHIP (1.32).
In the lineup and on defense, the Falcons will no longer trot out such players as Blake Covin and Trayden Tamiya, two elite-level defenders.
Tamiya was named a national Gold Glove recipient to stamp his reputation as the country's premier second baseman. The award, presented by the American Baseball Coaches Association in conjunction with Rawlings, was the first such honor to be awarded to an Air Force player. Tamiya routinely dazzled attending audiences with his defensive work up the middle. The Hawaiian's .992 fielding percentage was easily the highest mark among all Mountain West middle infielders, as Tamiya recorded just two errors in 243 chances at second base. Also responsible for 26 double plays, Tamiya's 164 assists were second in the Mountain West, trailing teammate Aerik Joe by a single out despite 26 fewer fielding opportunities. Tamiya also had his most impactful season at the plate, as his 82 hits were second-most in the Mountain West Conference. Tamiya managed a .329 batting average, the seventh-best mark among Mountain West players in 2023.
Covin, who played 175 career games for the Falcons, left an endearing legacy with his speed and prowess in center field. The now Second-Lieutenant compiled 36 career stolen bases with a career .262/.368/.360 slash to go with his elite-level defense.
Air Force also graduated the likes of Duke Benge, Ryan Stohr, Matt Thompson, and Jason Shuger, all of whom combined for 219 games worth of playing time.
Keep A Look Out
The Falcons' depth can only bring about curiosity, as tools abound serve as a glimpse into Air Force's future...and potentially its present.
The coaching staff will lean on such young players as T.J. Oster, who can expect to see much more playing time in 2024. Oster, an Arizona product, performed admirably in limited stints as a freshman, posting a .316 average in 19 at-bats. He brings a prototypical middle infielder profile to the 2024 lineup. Another sophomore, Charlie Jones, is also slated to see more plate appearances, as the hulking sophomore's power bat will surely be deployed often this spring. Jack Bello, who will be starting Saturday for the Falcons against Mississippi State, brings a bit of two-way excitement, as the Floridian won't be limited following a season-long injury his freshman year.
Walker Zapp took control of the catching job towards the end of last spring, and will hold on to it begin his sophomore campaign. The coaching staff has raved about Zapp's defensive abilities, and a step forward offensively is certainly not out of the question.
A handful of young arms were given a taste of college baseball last season, a roster of players that includes Joey Collier and Cooper Loveridge. The Air Force coaching staff was pleased with their progress in the fall, which should result in more appearances this spring.
The coaching staff has also brought up freshmen names such as Sam Hentges, Gaines Estridge, Patrick Davidson, and Bowen Brantingham as potential immediate contributors.
On Deck
Following the weekend in Mississippi, Air Force will be licking its chops for a crack at Navy, as the Falcons and Midshipmen will meet for the annual Freedom Classic in Kinston, North Carolina. The three-game series is slated to begin February 23.
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Players Mentioned
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