Tuesday, March 19
Austin, TX
5:30 pm MT
Air Force Academy
at
University of Texas
Photo by: Caroline Friedrick
Air Force, Texas to resume festivities in Austin
3/18/2024 6:30:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Tue: at Texas, 5:30 pm MT
Wed: at Texas, 3:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: Longhorn Network
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 2022, Air Force is 1-4 against Texas.
-After winning the first-ever matchup in 2022, the Falcons have lost four-consecutive ballgames to the Longhorns.
-In one matchup a season ago, Air Force was defeated 7-1.
Pitching Probables
Tue: LHP Jimmy Hebenstreit (1-0, 6.35 ERA) vs. RHP Cade Fontenot (1-1, 0.00 ERA)
Wed: TBA vs. TBA
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.673 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.634 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.114 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.946 OPS)
5. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (.881 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.769 OPS)
7. S/R, Landon Boyd, DH (.605 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.644 OPS)
9. R/R, Ben Niednagel, 2B (.478 OPS)
Weekend Warriors
Following Air Force's first three-game sweep of San Diego State since 2002, the Falcons were well represented by the Mountain West on Monday, as Chase Spencer and Seungmin Shim were awarded weekly honors by the conference.
Spencer was named Player of the Week after reaching base in eight of 14 plate appearances over the weekend. The junior was 6-12 (.500) at the plate, including two doubles and four RBIs, recording at least one hit in all three games. Adding four steals in six attempts, Spencer stole three bases in Game One, including a straight steal of home. One his two caught stealings was a purposeful pickle, resulting in a run scoring from third base.
The C2C has upped his season batting average to .309, second among Air Force players. His 14 stolen bases this spring not only lead the Mountain West, but are fourth-most in Division I this season. The award is Spencer's first Player of the Week honor, and his first weekly accolade since being named Freshman of the Week on May 2, 2022.
Shim's outstanding March 16 start results in his first-career Mountain West recognition, as the southpaw tossed 7.0 scoreless innings in the Falcons 10-3 win over the Aztecs. As well, Shim struck out a career-best 11 batters on Saturday, allowing just three hits. The senior did not see a baserunner cross second base over his 21 outs. Shim struck out multiple batters in four of his seven innings on the mound, punctuating his dazzling outing by striking out the side in his final frame.
Having lowered his season ERA to 3.25, Shim's 35 strikeouts this season are tied for second-most among Mountain West starters. He is currently sporting an 11.4 K/9 in his final year at Air Force.
Flying High
-Since losing six-consecutive games, Air Force has reeled off five-consecutive wins to move back to .500 (9-9).
-In the past five games, the Falcons own a run differential of +23 (40-17).
-Air Force is hitting .292 with a .412 OBP the past five games, while holding opponents to a .216 BA.
-The Falcons pitching staff has produced a 2.86 ERA in that stretch with a 2.4 K/BB ratio.
-In addition, the Falcons lineup is hitting .360 with runners on base and .277 with RISP compared to a season averages of .255 and .220.
-Air Force has stolen 15 of a possible 18 bases the past five ballgames.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has begun his final season at Air Force with authority, leading the team in slugging pct. (.667), on-base pct. (.447), runs scored (23), hits (26), and total bases (48).
-With five home runs already this spring, Thomason now sits at 42 career home runs, 8 shy of tying Nic Ready for the program record in career homers (50).
-Thomason became only the fourth player in Air Force history to record 40+ career home runs, coincidentally doing so in his hometown of Auburn on March 6.
-Thomason leads the team with a .385 average against righties.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all but one game this season.
-His seven multi-hit games leads the team.
STALLwart
-Chris Stallings, another C1C, has provided proper thump in the middle of the Falcons lineup.
-Stallings' .305 average is third among Falcons, leading the team with 12 walks.
-Nine of his team-high 15 RBIs have come with two outs.
-Stallings' .423 OBP trails only Thomason for the team lead.
-He's also one of only four Falcons to homer so far this spring.
-His eight stolen bases are second on Air Force.
-Impressively, the C1C is 10-26 (.381) with RISP and is 7-19 (.368) with two outs.
Stallings leads Air Force with five multi-RBI games.
He's Seeing Red
-Jake Greiving, nicknamed "Bull", has seen his bat round out to form early for Air Force.
-Greiving's .551 SLG% is second among the Falcons, as is his .292 average
-His 15 RBIs are tied with Stallings for the team lead.
-The C1C is riding a 16-game on-base streak, as his four home runs trail only Thomason among Air Force hitters.
-Reversely, Greiving is 7-20 (.350) against fellow left-handers.
Born to Run
-Through 18 games, Air Force is 37-43 (86%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 37 stolen bases is tops among Mountain West teams.
Senior Stopgap
-Doyle Gehring has been as dependable as ever as the closer for Air Force.
-The C1C owns a team-best 2.25 ERA and a team-low .192 opponent BA.
-He's notched three saves in the past five games, having not allowed a run in that stretch.
-Opponents are hitting just .118 in his last three appearances with a 0.71 WHIP.
For the Gaffer
-Sunday's win represented the 300th of head coach Mike Kazlausky's career at Air Force.
-Already the all-time leader in wins at Air Force, Kazlausky is the first coach to reach the 300-win mark in program history.
On Deck
-Following the midweek series at Texas, Air Force will head west to take on Fresno State for a three-game Mountain West series beginning Friday, March 22.
Tue: at Texas, 5:30 pm MT
Wed: at Texas, 3:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: Longhorn Network
Live Stats: SIDEARM Live Stats
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 2022, Air Force is 1-4 against Texas.
-After winning the first-ever matchup in 2022, the Falcons have lost four-consecutive ballgames to the Longhorns.
-In one matchup a season ago, Air Force was defeated 7-1.
Pitching Probables
Tue: LHP Jimmy Hebenstreit (1-0, 6.35 ERA) vs. RHP Cade Fontenot (1-1, 0.00 ERA)
Wed: TBA vs. TBA
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.673 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.634 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.114 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.946 OPS)
5. R/R, Chris Stallings, LF (.881 OPS)
6. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.769 OPS)
7. S/R, Landon Boyd, DH (.605 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.644 OPS)
9. R/R, Ben Niednagel, 2B (.478 OPS)
Weekend Warriors
Following Air Force's first three-game sweep of San Diego State since 2002, the Falcons were well represented by the Mountain West on Monday, as Chase Spencer and Seungmin Shim were awarded weekly honors by the conference.
Spencer was named Player of the Week after reaching base in eight of 14 plate appearances over the weekend. The junior was 6-12 (.500) at the plate, including two doubles and four RBIs, recording at least one hit in all three games. Adding four steals in six attempts, Spencer stole three bases in Game One, including a straight steal of home. One his two caught stealings was a purposeful pickle, resulting in a run scoring from third base.
The C2C has upped his season batting average to .309, second among Air Force players. His 14 stolen bases this spring not only lead the Mountain West, but are fourth-most in Division I this season. The award is Spencer's first Player of the Week honor, and his first weekly accolade since being named Freshman of the Week on May 2, 2022.
Shim's outstanding March 16 start results in his first-career Mountain West recognition, as the southpaw tossed 7.0 scoreless innings in the Falcons 10-3 win over the Aztecs. As well, Shim struck out a career-best 11 batters on Saturday, allowing just three hits. The senior did not see a baserunner cross second base over his 21 outs. Shim struck out multiple batters in four of his seven innings on the mound, punctuating his dazzling outing by striking out the side in his final frame.
Having lowered his season ERA to 3.25, Shim's 35 strikeouts this season are tied for second-most among Mountain West starters. He is currently sporting an 11.4 K/9 in his final year at Air Force.
Flying High
-Since losing six-consecutive games, Air Force has reeled off five-consecutive wins to move back to .500 (9-9).
-In the past five games, the Falcons own a run differential of +23 (40-17).
-Air Force is hitting .292 with a .412 OBP the past five games, while holding opponents to a .216 BA.
-The Falcons pitching staff has produced a 2.86 ERA in that stretch with a 2.4 K/BB ratio.
-In addition, the Falcons lineup is hitting .360 with runners on base and .277 with RISP compared to a season averages of .255 and .220.
-Air Force has stolen 15 of a possible 18 bases the past five ballgames.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has begun his final season at Air Force with authority, leading the team in slugging pct. (.667), on-base pct. (.447), runs scored (23), hits (26), and total bases (48).
-With five home runs already this spring, Thomason now sits at 42 career home runs, 8 shy of tying Nic Ready for the program record in career homers (50).
-Thomason became only the fourth player in Air Force history to record 40+ career home runs, coincidentally doing so in his hometown of Auburn on March 6.
-Thomason leads the team with a .385 average against righties.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all but one game this season.
-His seven multi-hit games leads the team.
STALLwart
-Chris Stallings, another C1C, has provided proper thump in the middle of the Falcons lineup.
-Stallings' .305 average is third among Falcons, leading the team with 12 walks.
-Nine of his team-high 15 RBIs have come with two outs.
-Stallings' .423 OBP trails only Thomason for the team lead.
-He's also one of only four Falcons to homer so far this spring.
-His eight stolen bases are second on Air Force.
-Impressively, the C1C is 10-26 (.381) with RISP and is 7-19 (.368) with two outs.
Stallings leads Air Force with five multi-RBI games.
He's Seeing Red
-Jake Greiving, nicknamed "Bull", has seen his bat round out to form early for Air Force.
-Greiving's .551 SLG% is second among the Falcons, as is his .292 average
-His 15 RBIs are tied with Stallings for the team lead.
-The C1C is riding a 16-game on-base streak, as his four home runs trail only Thomason among Air Force hitters.
-Reversely, Greiving is 7-20 (.350) against fellow left-handers.
Born to Run
-Through 18 games, Air Force is 37-43 (86%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 37 stolen bases is tops among Mountain West teams.
Senior Stopgap
-Doyle Gehring has been as dependable as ever as the closer for Air Force.
-The C1C owns a team-best 2.25 ERA and a team-low .192 opponent BA.
-He's notched three saves in the past five games, having not allowed a run in that stretch.
-Opponents are hitting just .118 in his last three appearances with a 0.71 WHIP.
For the Gaffer
-Sunday's win represented the 300th of head coach Mike Kazlausky's career at Air Force.
-Already the all-time leader in wins at Air Force, Kazlausky is the first coach to reach the 300-win mark in program history.
On Deck
-Following the midweek series at Texas, Air Force will head west to take on Fresno State for a three-game Mountain West series beginning Friday, March 22.
Players Mentioned
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OF/DH
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OF/RHP
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C
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Saturday, May 10
Falcons big 8th inning leads to win over Lobos
Friday, May 09
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Sunday, April 27
