Falcons fall to Longhorns in extras

AUSTIN- With a two-run lead in the 9th, Air Force saw the game-tying home run clear the left field fence before Texas produced the walk-off win in the 10th, as the Falcons were defeated 6-5 by the Longhorns.

Just over 24 hours after receiving his first Mountain West Player of the Week honor, Chase Spencer proved why, going 3-4 with a walk and a stolen base. The junior drove in the game's first two runs in the opening frame, driving a two-run single into left field to give his team an early lead.

Spencer was also 1-2 on the basepaths, giving him 15 stolen bases this spring.

Jay Thomason finished 2-5 with a stolen base, picking up an RBI in the 2nd with a base-hit up the middle. Jake Greiving was 2-4 with a double and a stolen base too, scoring twice. The C1C also managed a run batted in following an infield single in the 6th, as he's now reached base in 17-consecutive games.

Sam Kulasingam reached base in four of his six plate appearances, as the senior led off the game with a double before being driven in by Spencer. He also walked twice and was hit by a pitch. So far this spring, Kulasingam has been hit by a pitch a team-most seven times.

In the 9th, Christian Taylor dropped what was intended to be a sacrifice bunt, though he legged it out for an RBI infield single. The freshman was 1-3 with a walk. Another C4C, Connor Christenson, also added a hit.

Making his first-career start, Jimmy Hebenstreit saw the Longhorns score in each of his two innings of work as the result of five hits. Following a walk to load the bases with two outs in the 2nd, Kyle Moats was called upon to maintain the Falcons lead.

Moats did so, picking up a backwards K that would propel him to pitch 4.0 scoreless innings in a career-best outing on the mound. Scattering four hits, Moats punched out three Longhorns to match his career-high in a single outing.

The senior's four scoreless innings marks the longest appearance of Moats' career without allowing a run.

Doyle Gehring entered the game in the 6th, striking out the first batter he faced to end the inning. The Falcons closer would give up a run in the 7th, though the work over his first 2.1 innings helped Air Force to a 5-3 lead with three outs remaining.

Following a strikeout to start the bottom of the 9th, Gehring allowed a one-out single, sending Texas' Jalin Flores to the plate. Flores would eventually win a nine-pitch at-bat, slugging a slider to left field to tie the game.

Air Force would not score in the top of the 10th, seeing Sam Hentges take the mound in the bottom half. His night lasted only two batters after a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Gaines Estridge, without much margin for error, allowed two singles, including the game-winning hit to center field to reward Texas with the comeback win.

The loss snaps Air Force's five-game winning streak, as the Falcons have now lost five-consecutive ballgames to the Longhorns.

Air Force will try to even the series on Wednesday, March 20, with first-pitch scheduled for 3:00 pm MT.

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Team Stats

Chase Spencer

Jay Thomason

Jake Greiving

Sam Kulasingam

Players Mentioned

Connor Christenson

Gaines Estridge

Doyle Gehring

Jake Greiving

Jimmy Hebenstreit

Sam Hentges

Sam Kulasingam

Kyle Moats

Chase Spencer

Christian Taylor

Jay Thomason

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