Air Force can't cash in scoring chances in 10-6 loss

SUGAR LAND- The Falcons struck out 15 times on Friday while stranding as many men on base, as Air Force was defeated 10-6 by Creighton in the opening game of the Battle at the Ballpark.

It was a big afternoon for Houston native Chris Stallings, as the senior reached base in four of his five plate appearances. Stallings closed the day 2-3 with two walks, as his three-run home run tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the 4th. He now has a team-high 1.112 OPS through nine games.

Chase Spencer sprayed hard contact all over the field, finishing 2-4 with a RBI and three stolen bases. The speedy outfielder has swiped a bag in all five of his attempts so far this spring. Jake Greiving managed two hits as well.

Aerik Joe has now reached base in 43-consecutive games following a 1-6 day, while T.J. Oster gave Air Force tough at-bats out of the nine-hole. The sophomore was 1-2 with a pair of a base-on-balls, while taking a hit-by-pitch as well.

Jay Thomason and Sam Kulasingam were each 1-4, as Thomason managed a stolen base and two runs scored. Of note, Ben Niednagel, pinch-hitting in the 6th, lifted a sacrifice fly to produce his first collegiate RBI.

Seungmin Shim found the Creighton lineup tough to maneuver, as the senior allowed nine hits and four runs (two earned) in his 3.2 IP. Ethan Dillinger was the first Falcon arm to be called upon from the bullpen, as the freshman picked up a strikeout in his 0.2 innings.

Cooper Loveridge was hit with the loss as he was responsible for the go-ahead run in the 5th, with his line also spanning 0.2 innings.

In the 6th, Jimmy Hebenstreit entered the ballgame, and the Bluejays were unkind to the senior southpaw. Hebenstreit allowed three hits and four runs with a walk, as Creighton plated five runs in the inning to break the game open.

Gaines Estridge had the most efficient day of his freshman season thus far. Entering in the 7th, Estridge allowed just one run over 2.2 innings, notching his first collegiate strikeout in the process. After seeing a run cross in the 8th, Sam Hentges succeeded in recording the final out of the inning.

Air Force was unable to find a big hit given multiple chances. The Falcons loaded the bases in the 3rd with no outs, as Spencer's sacrifice fly would prove to be the only run of the inning. The Falcons also loaded the bases in the 5th to no avail, making the 15 men left on base a new season-high.

Next, Air Force will look to beat Army when the two service academies meet on Saturday, March 2 at Constellation Field. First-pitch is scheduled for 4:00 pm MT.

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