Falcons swoop in to steal 4-3 win over Bulldogs

FRESNO- Trailing 3-0 entering the 8th, Air Force reeled off four runs in the final two innings, including Sam Kulasingam's two-run homer in the top of the 9th, as Doyle Gehring secured his fourth save of the spring to cement a thrilling 4-3 Falcons win.

On the subject of Kulasingam, the senior was 3-5, as his two-run home run in the final inning rewarded Air Force with its first lead of the evening. The home run was the first of the spring for the reigning two-time Mountain West Player of the Year, as Friday also marks his second three-hit game of 2024.

Kulasingam is now 12 for his last 34 (.353) following a .200 average over his first 13 games. He's also reached base in each of his last 17 games.

Walker Zapp's two-run homer in the 8th ignited the Air Force rally, as the sophomore ended the evening 2-4. The home run was Zapp's first since Opening Day on February 16.

Jay Thomason was 2-5 with a stolen base, while Jake Greiving, Charlie Jones, and Christian Taylor added knocks to the Falcons hit column.

Seemingly picking up steam as the evening continued, Seungmin Shim was more or less excellent over a career-high 8.0 innings against the Bulldogs.

Allowing just six hits while managing six strikeouts, Shim surrendered a two-run single in the 3rd and a solo home run in the 7th, but forced Fresno State into three double plays. Shim did well to shake off the two-run 3rd by retiring nine-consecutive batter between the 4th and 6th innings. He did not walk a batter over his 24 outs.

Working fast and throwing strikes, Shim needed just 85 pitches to get through 8.0 innings, moving to 3-1 on the year as the winning pitcher.

Following Kulasingam's go-ahead homer, Doyle Gehring was tasked with the save opportunity. Gehring, making his first appearance since blowing a save in Tuesday's 6-5 loss to Texas, opened the inning with a lineout to second base and a looking strikeout, though a hit-batter and a walk put the winning run at first with two down.

Undeterred, Gehring threw a terrific 2-1 fastball on the outer half of the plate to induce a roll over up the middle where Aerik Joe charged in to make a smooth running play to end the ballgame.

The win is Air Force's second win this season when trailing after eight innings, the only other coming in the Falcons 3-2 win over Mississippi State on February 17. The 2024 spring stands as the first time the Falcons have won six of their first seven Mountain West games.

Due to projected inclement weather, tomorrow's March 23 ballgame has been moved up from 4:00 pm MT to 1:00 pm MT to adjust for the forecast.

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