Friday, March 22
Fresno, CA
7:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
at
Fresno State
Photo by: Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos
Falcons back in conference against Bulldogs
3/21/2024 5:04:00 PM | Baseball
Schedule
Fri: at Fresno State, 7:00 pm MT
Sat: at Fresno State, 4:00 pm MT
Sun: at Fresno State, 2:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1997, Air Force is 21-37 against Fresno State.
-In 2023, the Falcons swept the Bulldogs in three games in Fresno.
-Air Force is 6-3 in its last nine games against Fresno State.
Pitching Probables
Fri: LHP Seungmin Shim (2-1, 3.25 ERA) vs. LHP Jake Dixon (2-1, 2.73 ERA)
Sat: RHP Dylan Rogers (3-1, 2.33 ERA) vs. RHP Noah Beal (1-3, 4.33 ERA)
Sun: RHP Ben Weber (1-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Anker (4-0, 1.76 ERA)
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.791 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.685 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.043 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.988 OPS)
5. R/R, Charlie Jones, DH (1.115 OPS)
6. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.640 OPS)
7. R/R, Christian Taylor, LF (.899 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.610 OPS)
9. L/R, Ben Niednagel, 2B (.365 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.
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.
Flying High
-Since losing six-consecutive games, Air Force is 5-2 over its last seven games..
-In the past seven games, the Falcons own a run differential of +13 (48-35).
-Air Force is hitting .285 with a .405 OBP in that span, having stolen 19 bases in 24 tries.
-The Falcons weekend rotation has managed a 1.18 ERA in the past five weekend games.
-In addition, the Falcons lineup is hitting .333 with runners on base and .270 with RISP compared to respective season averages of .256 and .223.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has begun his final season at Air Force with authority, leading all qualified Falcons in home runs (5), slugging pct. (.617), on-base pct. (.426), runs scored (23), hits (28), and total bases (50).
-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 .368 average against righties.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all but two games this season.
-His eight multi-hit games leads the team.
He's Seeing Red
-Jake Greiving, nicknamed "Bull", has seen his bat round out to form early for Air Force.
-Greiving's .556 SLG% is second among the Falcons, as is his .329 average
-His 16 RBIs lead all Falcons.
-The C1C is riding an 18-game on-base streak, as his four home runs trail only Thomason among Air Force hitters.
-Reversely, Greiving is 9-23 (.391) against fellow left-handers.
-His six doubles are also a team-high.
He's Getting Going
-Sam Kulasingam, the reigning two-time MW Player of the Year, is beginning to overcome his initial troubles at the plate.
-Hitting just .200 over his first 13 games, Kulasingam is 9 for his last 29 (.310).
-Despite the lack of hits, Kulasingam has still reached base in 16-consecutive games.
-Kulasingam has already been plunked seven times this season, most on Air Force and third-most in the Mountain West.
Chase, Chase, In Your Face
-Chase Spencer has been as consistent as any player in the Air Force lineup.
-In his past seven games, Spencer is 11-15 (.440) with 2 doubles, 7 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.
-His 15 stolen bases is tied for fifth in Division I.
CT Phone Home
-Freshman Christian Taylor, playing in replacement of the injured Chris Stallings, has been a dependable asset.
-In his past five games, Taylor is 5-11 (.455), including 2 doubles and 5 RBIs.
-He's also struck out just once in his last 15 plate appearances while walking four times.
Here Comes the Chuckster
-Sophomore Charlie Jones has returned from injury to make an immediate splash.
-In only five games, Jones has five hits in first 13 at-bats (.385), reaching base in each of his last four games.
-Jones recorded his first-career three-hit game on March 20, going 3-4 with a home run.
He is Shim
Seungmin Shim has taken well to his Friday night role, pitching to new heights in his final season.
-Shim leads Air Force in strikeouts (35), 10 of which have been backwards K's.
-His 35 strikeouts trail only Fresno's Noah Beal among Mountain West arms.
-Shim has held righties to a just a .247 average, owning a 2.23 GB/FB ratio.
-He will pitch Friday fresh off of 7.0 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts against San Diego State, earning him MW Pitcher of the Week on March 18.
Dylan is Dealin'
-In his past two starts, Dylan Rogers has been nearly untouchable.
-Rogers has surrendered just one earned run over his last 13.1 IP (0.68 ERA) to go with just two walks and one extra-base hit.
-His 2.23 season ERA is best among Air Force pitchers.
-A reverse-split, lefties are hitting just .111 off of Rogers.
-Also of importance, Rogers has held opponents to a .129 average with runners on base.
Born to Run
-Through 20 games, Air Force is 41-49 (86%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 41 stolen bases is tops among Mountain West teams.
-Air Force's 2.00 stolen bases per game average is tied for 24th in Division I.
For the Gaffer
-Air Force's March 17 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 weekend series at Fresno State, Air Force will stay in California for a Tuesday matchup with St. Mary's on March 26.
Fri: at Fresno State, 7:00 pm MT
Sat: at Fresno State, 4:00 pm MT
Sun: at Fresno State, 2:00 pm MT
Broadcast Information
Watch: Mountain West Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @AF_Baseball
Series History
-Since 1997, Air Force is 21-37 against Fresno State.
-In 2023, the Falcons swept the Bulldogs in three games in Fresno.
-Air Force is 6-3 in its last nine games against Fresno State.
Pitching Probables
Fri: LHP Seungmin Shim (2-1, 3.25 ERA) vs. LHP Jake Dixon (2-1, 2.73 ERA)
Sat: RHP Dylan Rogers (3-1, 2.33 ERA) vs. RHP Noah Beal (1-3, 4.33 ERA)
Sun: RHP Ben Weber (1-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Anker (4-0, 1.76 ERA)
Projected Lineup (2024 OPS)
1. R/R, Chase Spencer, CF (.791 OPS)
2. S/R, Sam Kulasingam, 1B (.685 OPS)
3. L/R, Jay Thomason, 3B (1.043 OPS)
4. L/R, Jake Greiving, RF (.988 OPS)
5. R/R, Charlie Jones, DH (1.115 OPS)
6. R/R, Aerik Joe, SS (.640 OPS)
7. R/R, Christian Taylor, LF (.899 OPS)
8. R/R, Walker Zapp, C (.610 OPS)
9. L/R, Ben Niednagel, 2B (.365 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.
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.
Flying High
-Since losing six-consecutive games, Air Force is 5-2 over its last seven games..
-In the past seven games, the Falcons own a run differential of +13 (48-35).
-Air Force is hitting .285 with a .405 OBP in that span, having stolen 19 bases in 24 tries.
-The Falcons weekend rotation has managed a 1.18 ERA in the past five weekend games.
-In addition, the Falcons lineup is hitting .333 with runners on base and .270 with RISP compared to respective season averages of .256 and .223.
He Hits Bombs, Son
-Jay Thomason has begun his final season at Air Force with authority, leading all qualified Falcons in home runs (5), slugging pct. (.617), on-base pct. (.426), runs scored (23), hits (28), and total bases (50).
-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 .368 average against righties.
-The lefty slugger has reached base in all but two games this season.
-His eight multi-hit games leads the team.
He's Seeing Red
-Jake Greiving, nicknamed "Bull", has seen his bat round out to form early for Air Force.
-Greiving's .556 SLG% is second among the Falcons, as is his .329 average
-His 16 RBIs lead all Falcons.
-The C1C is riding an 18-game on-base streak, as his four home runs trail only Thomason among Air Force hitters.
-Reversely, Greiving is 9-23 (.391) against fellow left-handers.
-His six doubles are also a team-high.
He's Getting Going
-Sam Kulasingam, the reigning two-time MW Player of the Year, is beginning to overcome his initial troubles at the plate.
-Hitting just .200 over his first 13 games, Kulasingam is 9 for his last 29 (.310).
-Despite the lack of hits, Kulasingam has still reached base in 16-consecutive games.
-Kulasingam has already been plunked seven times this season, most on Air Force and third-most in the Mountain West.
Chase, Chase, In Your Face
-Chase Spencer has been as consistent as any player in the Air Force lineup.
-In his past seven games, Spencer is 11-15 (.440) with 2 doubles, 7 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.
-His 15 stolen bases is tied for fifth in Division I.
CT Phone Home
-Freshman Christian Taylor, playing in replacement of the injured Chris Stallings, has been a dependable asset.
-In his past five games, Taylor is 5-11 (.455), including 2 doubles and 5 RBIs.
-He's also struck out just once in his last 15 plate appearances while walking four times.
Here Comes the Chuckster
-Sophomore Charlie Jones has returned from injury to make an immediate splash.
-In only five games, Jones has five hits in first 13 at-bats (.385), reaching base in each of his last four games.
-Jones recorded his first-career three-hit game on March 20, going 3-4 with a home run.
He is Shim
Seungmin Shim has taken well to his Friday night role, pitching to new heights in his final season.
-Shim leads Air Force in strikeouts (35), 10 of which have been backwards K's.
-His 35 strikeouts trail only Fresno's Noah Beal among Mountain West arms.
-Shim has held righties to a just a .247 average, owning a 2.23 GB/FB ratio.
-He will pitch Friday fresh off of 7.0 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts against San Diego State, earning him MW Pitcher of the Week on March 18.
Dylan is Dealin'
-In his past two starts, Dylan Rogers has been nearly untouchable.
-Rogers has surrendered just one earned run over his last 13.1 IP (0.68 ERA) to go with just two walks and one extra-base hit.
-His 2.23 season ERA is best among Air Force pitchers.
-A reverse-split, lefties are hitting just .111 off of Rogers.
-Also of importance, Rogers has held opponents to a .129 average with runners on base.
Born to Run
-Through 20 games, Air Force is 41-49 (86%) in stolen base tries this season.
-The Falcons 41 stolen bases is tops among Mountain West teams.
-Air Force's 2.00 stolen bases per game average is tied for 24th in Division I.
For the Gaffer
-Air Force's March 17 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 weekend series at Fresno State, Air Force will stay in California for a Tuesday matchup with St. Mary's on March 26.
Players Mentioned
OF/DH
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1B
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IF
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IF
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RHP
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LHP
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OF/RHP
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OF
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UT
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IF
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C
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