Friday, March 1
Sugar Land, TX
1:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Creighton University
Photo by: Rayna Schmidt
Air Force slated for Battle at the Ballpark in Sugar Land
2/29/2024 3:30:00 PM | Baseball
This weekend, Air Force will participate in the inaugural Battle at the Ballpark, held at Constellation Field in Sugar Land, Texas. It has played host to over 700 Atlantic League games since opening. It also hosted the upstart Constellation Energy League in 2020. As of 2021, it's the official home of the 2017 & 2022 World Champion Houston Astros Triple-A affiliate.
Schedule
Fri: vs. Creighton, 1:00 pm MT
Sat: vs. Army, 4:00 pm MT
Sun: vs. Louisiana Tech, 3:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: D1Baseball.com
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History (Creighton)
-Since 1970, Air Force is 9-20 against Creighton.
-The two teams last met in 2017, as the Falcons swept the Bluejays in a two-game series at Erdle Field.
-The Falcons won by scores of 12-9 and 7-5 in March 8 doubleheader.
-The Battle at the Ballpark will reflect the first neutral-site meeting between the two schools.
Series History (Army)
-Since 1974, Air Force is 25-11 against Army.
-The Falcons were defeated in the first two games of the Liberty Classic a season ago, before salvaging the series with a 9-3 win in the Sunday ballgame.
-Including the three-game series to open the 2023 season, Air Force is 7-4 against Army since 2017.
Series History (Louisiana Tech)
-A series that began in 2021, Air Force and Louisiana Tech are 2-2 in the four games played.
-The Falcons and Bulldogs split a midweek series in 2023 in Ruston, as Air Force was shutout 5-0 before a 12-10 win to close the two-game series.
-The first game played between the two schools resulted in a 18-1 Louisiana Tech win in Baton Rouge.
-The two teams met at the 2022 Austin Regional, where Air Force staved off elimination with a 9-7 win.
Pitching Probables
Fri: LHP Seungmin Shim (1-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. RHP Dominic Cancellieri (1-0, 1.00 ERA)
Sat: RHP Dylan Rogers (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Matthew Ronnebaum (0-1, 3.37 ERA)
Sun: RHP Ben Weber (0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Turner Swistak (2-0, 1.86 ERA)
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.612 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.626 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.147 OPS)
4. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (.958 OPS)
5. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (1.038 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.581 OPS)
7. R/R, Jack Bello, DH (.795 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.848 OPS)
9. R/R, Connor Christenson, 2B (.333 OPS)
Swab the Decks
-Air Force rebounded after a 1-3 opening weekend by recording the first three-game series sweep of the Naval Academy in program history.
-The Falcons outscored the Midshipmen 21-3 in the three games.
-The Air Force rotation pitched to the tune of a 1.08 ERA in those three games.
-After averaging 10.5 total bases over the first four games, the Falcons produced an average of 13.5 total bases over the last four games.
Aer-ing It Out
-Aerik Joe has been a key out of the leadoff spot, having reached base in all eight games this season.
-As a result, he still owns what is now a 42-game on-base streak.
-Working counts, Joe has walked six times in his last four games, tied for the team lead.
-Joe is one of three Falcons to have reached base in all eight games this season.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has began his final season at Air Force with authority, leading the team in batting average (.375), slugging pct. (.688), runs scored (10), hits (12), and total bases (22).
-With two home runs already this spring, Thomason now sits at 39 career home runs, 11 shy of tying Nic Ready for the program record in career homers (50).
-Thomason leads the team with a .444 average against righties, and is hitting .400 in RBI opportunities.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all eight games this season.
STALLwart
-Chris Stallings, another C1C, has provided proper thump as the Falcons primary cleanup man.
-Stallings' .345 average is second among Air Force hitters, as he's tied for the team lead with 9 RBI.
-He's also one of only four Falcons to homer so far this spring.
-His four stolen bases are a team-high, as he and Thomason are the only Falcons to reach double-digit hits so far this season (10).
-He finished the Freedom Classic hitting 6-11 (.545) with 1 HR, 5 RBIs, and 5 runs scored.
-Stallings is tied for the team lead with three multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games.
He's Seeing Red
-Jake Greiving, nicknamed "Bull", has homered in three-consecutive games for Air Force.
-Greiving's .667 SLG% is second only to Thomason among Falcons, as do his 20 total bases.
-His 9 RBIs are tied with Stallings for the team lead.
-The C1C has managed at least one hit in seven of eight games this season, as he's 8-22 (.363) in the last six games.
-He's tied with Stallings for the team lead with three multi-RBI games.
Shimmy Shimmy Ya
-Senior Seungmin Shim has been lights out in his first two starts of the new season.
-Ober his first 12.0 innings, the lefty has posted a 2.25 ERA, with a 12.9 K/9 in those two starts.
-He owns a 1.45 GO/FO rate as well.
-His 10 strikeouts in Air Force's 7-1 win over Navy stands as a new career-high, as did his 7.0 IP.
Game Over
-Returning to the closer role, Doyle Gehring has provided the Falcons a blanket of security late in ballgames.
-Gehring has allowed just two earned runs, both coming in two multi-inning appearances.
-Gehring has locked down two of the Falcons four wins this season, owning a 9.4 K/9 in his first 7.2 IP.
-As the closer, Gehring still stands third on Air Force with 7.2 IP.
-Opponents have managed just a .130 average against the Oklahoman.
Mike Kazlausky receives Wakin Award for Character, Leadership Development
Head baseball coach Mike Kazlausky was presented the Brigadier General Malham M. Wakin Award by Superintendent Lt. General Richard M. Clark, an honor bestowed upon the Falcons' skipper for his commitment to developing leaders of character.
Brigadier General Malham "Mal" Wakin joined the Air Force in 1953 and taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy from 1959 to 1995. After military retirement he continued teaching at the Academy until 2016. During his tenure he served as the head of the Department of Philosophy and was recognized as Emeritus Professor of Philosophy.
In 1998, the Center for Character and Leadership Development created the Brigadier General Malham M. Wakin Award for Character and Leadership Development, recognizing him as an esteemed role model.
The Wakin Award is used to recognize individuals or teams that have fostered character and leadership development consistent with our Leader of Character framework.
Kazlausky, having just began his 14th season as head coach at Air Force, is a 1991 Academy graduate. He is the first Academy graduate to become head baseball coach at Air Force and is the program's first military coach since 1988. Kazlausky retired with the rank of major after 20 years of meritorious service with the U.S. Air Force.
On Deck
-Following the Battle at the Ballpark, Air Force will travel to Auburn to play the Tigers for a midweek series beginning March 5.
Schedule
Fri: vs. Creighton, 1:00 pm MT
Sat: vs. Army, 4:00 pm MT
Sun: vs. Louisiana Tech, 3:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Live Stream: D1Baseball.com
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History (Creighton)
-Since 1970, Air Force is 9-20 against Creighton.
-The two teams last met in 2017, as the Falcons swept the Bluejays in a two-game series at Erdle Field.
-The Falcons won by scores of 12-9 and 7-5 in March 8 doubleheader.
-The Battle at the Ballpark will reflect the first neutral-site meeting between the two schools.
Series History (Army)
-Since 1974, Air Force is 25-11 against Army.
-The Falcons were defeated in the first two games of the Liberty Classic a season ago, before salvaging the series with a 9-3 win in the Sunday ballgame.
-Including the three-game series to open the 2023 season, Air Force is 7-4 against Army since 2017.
Series History (Louisiana Tech)
-A series that began in 2021, Air Force and Louisiana Tech are 2-2 in the four games played.
-The Falcons and Bulldogs split a midweek series in 2023 in Ruston, as Air Force was shutout 5-0 before a 12-10 win to close the two-game series.
-The first game played between the two schools resulted in a 18-1 Louisiana Tech win in Baton Rouge.
-The two teams met at the 2022 Austin Regional, where Air Force staved off elimination with a 9-7 win.
Pitching Probables
Fri: LHP Seungmin Shim (1-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. RHP Dominic Cancellieri (1-0, 1.00 ERA)
Sat: RHP Dylan Rogers (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Matthew Ronnebaum (0-1, 3.37 ERA)
Sun: RHP Ben Weber (0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. RHP Turner Swistak (2-0, 1.86 ERA)
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.612 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.626 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.147 OPS)
4. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (.958 OPS)
5. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (1.038 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.581 OPS)
7. R/R, Jack Bello, DH (.795 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.848 OPS)
9. R/R, Connor Christenson, 2B (.333 OPS)
Swab the Decks
-Air Force rebounded after a 1-3 opening weekend by recording the first three-game series sweep of the Naval Academy in program history.
-The Falcons outscored the Midshipmen 21-3 in the three games.
-The Air Force rotation pitched to the tune of a 1.08 ERA in those three games.
-After averaging 10.5 total bases over the first four games, the Falcons produced an average of 13.5 total bases over the last four games.
Aer-ing It Out
-Aerik Joe has been a key out of the leadoff spot, having reached base in all eight games this season.
-As a result, he still owns what is now a 42-game on-base streak.
-Working counts, Joe has walked six times in his last four games, tied for the team lead.
-Joe is one of three Falcons to have reached base in all eight games this season.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has began his final season at Air Force with authority, leading the team in batting average (.375), slugging pct. (.688), runs scored (10), hits (12), and total bases (22).
-With two home runs already this spring, Thomason now sits at 39 career home runs, 11 shy of tying Nic Ready for the program record in career homers (50).
-Thomason leads the team with a .444 average against righties, and is hitting .400 in RBI opportunities.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all eight games this season.
STALLwart
-Chris Stallings, another C1C, has provided proper thump as the Falcons primary cleanup man.
-Stallings' .345 average is second among Air Force hitters, as he's tied for the team lead with 9 RBI.
-He's also one of only four Falcons to homer so far this spring.
-His four stolen bases are a team-high, as he and Thomason are the only Falcons to reach double-digit hits so far this season (10).
-He finished the Freedom Classic hitting 6-11 (.545) with 1 HR, 5 RBIs, and 5 runs scored.
-Stallings is tied for the team lead with three multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games.
He's Seeing Red
-Jake Greiving, nicknamed "Bull", has homered in three-consecutive games for Air Force.
-Greiving's .667 SLG% is second only to Thomason among Falcons, as do his 20 total bases.
-His 9 RBIs are tied with Stallings for the team lead.
-The C1C has managed at least one hit in seven of eight games this season, as he's 8-22 (.363) in the last six games.
-He's tied with Stallings for the team lead with three multi-RBI games.
Shimmy Shimmy Ya
-Senior Seungmin Shim has been lights out in his first two starts of the new season.
-Ober his first 12.0 innings, the lefty has posted a 2.25 ERA, with a 12.9 K/9 in those two starts.
-He owns a 1.45 GO/FO rate as well.
-His 10 strikeouts in Air Force's 7-1 win over Navy stands as a new career-high, as did his 7.0 IP.
Game Over
-Returning to the closer role, Doyle Gehring has provided the Falcons a blanket of security late in ballgames.
-Gehring has allowed just two earned runs, both coming in two multi-inning appearances.
-Gehring has locked down two of the Falcons four wins this season, owning a 9.4 K/9 in his first 7.2 IP.
-As the closer, Gehring still stands third on Air Force with 7.2 IP.
-Opponents have managed just a .130 average against the Oklahoman.
Mike Kazlausky receives Wakin Award for Character, Leadership Development
Head baseball coach Mike Kazlausky was presented the Brigadier General Malham M. Wakin Award by Superintendent Lt. General Richard M. Clark, an honor bestowed upon the Falcons' skipper for his commitment to developing leaders of character.
Brigadier General Malham "Mal" Wakin joined the Air Force in 1953 and taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy from 1959 to 1995. After military retirement he continued teaching at the Academy until 2016. During his tenure he served as the head of the Department of Philosophy and was recognized as Emeritus Professor of Philosophy.
In 1998, the Center for Character and Leadership Development created the Brigadier General Malham M. Wakin Award for Character and Leadership Development, recognizing him as an esteemed role model.
The Wakin Award is used to recognize individuals or teams that have fostered character and leadership development consistent with our Leader of Character framework.
Kazlausky, having just began his 14th season as head coach at Air Force, is a 1991 Academy graduate. He is the first Academy graduate to become head baseball coach at Air Force and is the program's first military coach since 1988. Kazlausky retired with the rank of major after 20 years of meritorious service with the U.S. Air Force.
On Deck
-Following the Battle at the Ballpark, Air Force will travel to Auburn to play the Tigers for a midweek series beginning March 5.
Players Mentioned
LHP/1B
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF/DH
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
OF/RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
IF
/ Baseball
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