Air Force topped 7-5 in Monday loss to Southern Miss

HATTIESBURG- Relying on a handful of younger players on Monday, moments of excitement were superseded by a lack of a execution, as the Falcons were defeated 7-5 by the Golden Eagles.

Air Force managed seven hits at Pete Taylor Park, with Jay Thomason providing one of the Falcons three extra-base hits of the night. His 6th-inning triple paved the way for one of the Falcons three runs, as the C1C closed the night 1-3.

In the 8th, both Jake Greiving and Chris Stallings roped RBI doubles to trim the Southern Miss lead to 7-5.

Aerik Joe extended his on-base streak to 38 games, going 2-4 with a run scored. Sam Kulasingam's on-base streak of 58-consecutive games was snapped following an 0-5 line.

In one of many collegiate firsts for Air Force on Monday, Ethan Dillinger made his first start on the mound, and in a difficult environment, the C4C held his own. Working around four walks, Dillinger allowed just one hit to go with five strikeouts.

Bowen Brantingham succeeded Dillinger in the 4th, as the freshman was responsible for three runs on four hits over 2.1 innings. Sam Hentges entered in a tough spot in the 6th, as he allowed two inherited runs to score in a three-run inning for the Golden Eagles. His line included just a single out.

In a 5-3 game, Cooper Loveridge surrendered a two-run home run in the 7th, encompassing his 1.1 inning appearance.

Doyle Gehring, after earning the win on Saturday, took the ball in the 8th, retiring all three hitters he faced.

Chase Spencer singled in the top of the 9th, as Thomason represented the tying run with two outs, though he grounded out to end the game.

After striking out 16 times on Sunday, the Falcons were punched out 13 times on Monday. On the mound, Air Force arms combined for six walks and three hit-by-pitches.

In their first-ever starts, Connor Christenson was 0-4, while Van Klein was 0-3 with a RBI fielder's choice.

Next, Air Force will take on rival Navy in Kinston, North Carolina at the annual Freedom Classic starting Friday, February 23.

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